In honor of National Poetry Month, visit the library for a poetry reading by Syracuse University’s Verbal Blend poets. Verbal Blend is SU’s premier spoken-word program designed to enhance students' confidence in writing and performing original poems.

"I Hear America Singing" is the final concert of the season for the Syracuse Children's Chorus.  It is the culmination of all the year of hard work and features all of the SCC ensembles as well as our City Satellite Singers and some special guest collaborators.

A groundbreaking ceremony will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 22, at 1081 S. Salina St.

Paint a rock to give to your mom for Mother’s Day. Examples and all supplies provided. For anyone ages 11-18.

Communication is more than just talking and listening, it’s also about sending and receiving messages through attitude, tone of voice, facial expressions and body language. As people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias progress in their journey and the ability to use words is lost, families need new ways to connect. Join us to explore how communication takes place when someone has Alzheimer’s, learn to decode the verbal and behavioral messages delivered by someone with dementia and identify strategies to help you connect and communicate at each stage of the disease. Registration required. Call (315) 472-4201.

Need help with legal problems? Talk to a lawyer for free on the second and fourth Thursday of the month. Volunteer lawyers will answer questions on a first come, first served basis. Arrive early and sign in as space is limited. For adults. Meets at the library's CNY Meeting Room, Level 3.

Planned Parenthood educator Mallory will distribute brochures, fact sheets and give-aways, answer questions and talk to teens one-on-one about family planning, sexual health, sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS, minors’ rights and much more. All materials include information about where to access low-cost reproductive health care. If appropriate, referrals will be made to partner agencies for additional service needs. For teens and young adults. Session meets in the library's TeenSpace, Level 1.

The Senate Majority will hold a series of public hearings on rent regulation and tenant protection issues. Sen. Brian Kavanagh, Chair of the Housing Committee, will lead the hearings, to ensure legislative efforts to advance New Yorkers’ housing rights reflect the perspectives of a wide range of stakeholders. A hearing is set in Syracuse from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 9, at Danforth Middle School, 309 W. Brighton Ave. This hearing is being held in the community to help ensure local residents can provide testimony.

Celebrate moms everywhere by making a special Mother’s Day card. Supplies and materials provided. Open for teens and adults.

Greg Olson, Director of the New York State Office for Aging (NYSOFA) will be in Syracuse to outline his office’s Four Year Plan for supporting seniors in years 2020-24. Olson’s presentation is one of just eight being done statewide and it will take place at the offices of Upstate Oasis from 10 a.m. to noon May 10. The presentation will be “town hall style” and is particularly aimed at service providers and stakeholders in the aging “space.” The general public, especially seniors, are also invited and questions and comments from audience members will be welcomed.

Join Walter in the MakerSpace and learn how to plant flowers just in time for Mother’s Day. After you plant your seeds, you can either take them with you or leave them in the MakerSpace’s greenhouse to germinate and harden before taking them home. Seeds and soil will be provided. For teens and adults.

On Monday, May 13, the New York Civil Liberties Union has organized a bus trip to Albany, which will include an exhibit of the 15th Ward and displays of damage done by I-81 and a panel discussion on current concerns. NYCLU has reserved the bus and will be treating attendees to lunch. This is a full-day event. The bus will leave Syracuse at 9 a.m. and return around 4 p.m.

Learn about free cancer screening services available through the Onondaga County Health Department. Men and women without health insurance can obtain free breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screenings and diagnostic services through the county’s Cancer Services Program. For adults. Meets on Level 1 of the library.

Invite the sunshine into your life with these colorful, cosmic sun catchers that you can decorate and give to others. Materials provided. For teens and adults.

Michigan's Inspiring Women Greatness event will come to Syracuse Community Connections from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 18. This women empowerment experience event will includes entertainment, food, panels, fellowship and more.

A community forum to discuss critical issues facing families living in Syracuse will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at the Well of Hope Church, 1640 South Ave. Organized by the Alliance of Communities Transforming Syracuse, this forum will discuss how the I-81 project, the Syracuse Surge and Blueprint 15 will impact job creation, workforce development, public school realignment, church and business relocation in Syracuse. NYCLU, The Allyn Foundation, Urban Jobs Task Force, Syracuse City School District, ACTS, Center State CEO and elected officials have been invited to share information with residents about the initiatives and projects. Additional sponsors of this event include: Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, the Covenant Fellowship of Churches and the Northeastern District Baptist Association.

"The Kid Who Would Be King" will screen at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at the library. This two-hour film features Alex, who is just a bullied kid until he discovers Excalibur, the legendary Sword in the Stone. Now, his friends (and his enemies) must become knights and join the wizard Merlin (Patrick Stewart) to fight the wicked Morgana (Rebecca Ferguson). With the future at stake, Alex must show courage he never dreamed he had.

Beauchamp Branch Library will welcome the U.S. Census Bureau from 10 a.m. to noon Monday, May 20, to help fill open Census Taker positions, which pay from $13.50 to $18.50 per hour, offer flexible work hours, weekly pay and paid training. A U.S. Census Bureau Representative will be available to answer questions.

Syracuse University is hosting a Building Local Procurement Fair from 9 a.m. to noon May 21 at the Sheraton on campus for local businesses and XBEs. The fair will introduce local businesses and XBEs to opportunities with SU, help local businesses and XBEs understand the goods and services used and needed by SU and provide information on how to gain diverse business certification.

"The Coldest Winter Ever" by Sister Souljah will be discussed at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 21. Souljah's story shares the tale of ghetto-born Winter, the young, wealthy daughter of a prominent Brooklyn drug-dealing family. Quick-witted, sexy and business-minded, she knows and loves the streets like the curves of her own body. But when a cold winter wind blows her life in a direction she doesn't want to go, her street smarts and seductive skills are put to the test of a lifetime. Unwilling to lose, this ghetto girl will do anything to stay on top.

The Elder Law Fair is intended for individuals planning for life after 50. This free event will include sessions on paying for long-term care, aging safety, senior scams, end of life care, wills and estate planning, protecting your assets and more. To register, visit here or call 1 (877) 927-8300. Sessions meet at Onondaga Community College in Academic Building 2, 4585 W. Seneca Turnpike (use Route 175 entrance and park at SRC Arena; then use shuttle bus).

Need help with legal problems? Talk to a lawyer for free on the second and fourth Thursday of the month. Volunteer lawyers will answer questions on a first come, first served basis. Arrive early and sign in as space is limited. For adults. Meets at the library's CNY Meeting Room, Level 3.

Planned Parenthood educator Mallory will distribute brochures, fact sheets and give-aways, answer questions and talk to teens one-on-one about family planning, sexual health, sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS, minors’ rights and much more. All materials include information about where to access low-cost reproductive health care. If appropriate, referrals will be made to partner agencies for additional service needs. For teens and young adults. Session meets in the library's TeenSpace, Level 1.

Join Miss Jackie to learn the art of knitting. Youth ages 7 to 13 will enhance their fine motor skills, creativity and patience. Knitting needles, yarn and looms are provided. Parents and caregivers are invited to knit with their children, too. Call (315) 435-3395 to sign up.

An OCC representative will be on hand to answer questions about applying to college, financial aid, degree programs and other questions related to attending college. No registration necessary. For teens and adults. Meets on the library's first level.

Tips on growing houseplant succulents, cacti and perennial succulents will be shared from 6 to 7 p.m.  Wednesday, May 29. Taught by Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners. Free and open to thepublic. Please sign-up at Betts Branch Library or by calling (315) 435-1940.

Bring the family and be guided through fun science and technology experiments. There will be a unique and different experiment in every class. Call (315) 435-3395 to register. Open for teens and adults.

While having the correct light levels and watering properly are two of the most important steps in growing healthy indoor plants, houseplant growers also have to constantly monitor their plants for signs of pests. There are many types of houseplant bugs, and arming yourself with a little information goes a long waytoward preventing or eliminating an infestation. Learn about houseplant insects and how to handle them from the Master Gardeners of Onondaga County Pam Wildridge. Registration required, as at least 10 attendees are required for the session to take place. Stop in the library or call (315) 435-5326 to register.