Community Calendar

Dr. David Gellman, the 2026-27 A. Lindsay O’Connor Chair of American Institutions in the history department at Colgate University, will discuss that as America’s 250th gives way to the 2027 bicentennial of the final abolition of slavery in New York, the moment is ideal to contemplate the relationship between independence and emancipation in the Empire State.

John Jay, diplomat, US Supreme Court Chief Justice, governor, slaveholder, and antislavery society president, provides a powerful prism for making sense of an uneven but profound transformation. The relationship between Caesar, Clarinda, Zilpah, and members of the Jay family who enslaved and later freed them entwines with the ways that this influential political family navigated the fulfillment of their antislavery beliefs. The talk thus merges public and private lives to contemplate the limits and the potential of the American Revolution. Gellman is the author of "Liberty’s Chain: Slavery, Abolition, and the Jay Family of New York," winner of the Herbert H. Lehman Prize.

We welcome back local poet Mary Gardner for a reading and discussion of her life's work. Titles from Mary’s collections of published poetry will also be available for purchase and signing.

Registration is recommended, but not required, at: https://onlib-nopl.libcal.com/event/17077775?more

Monday, November 9 at noon, held online

As blood cholesterol rises, so does the risk of coronary heart disease. Healthy lifestyle habits and statin medications are foundational for lowering cholesterol and reducing that risk. In this session, learn the strategies for managing cholesterol levels and how cardiac imaging is used to optimize treatment.

Speaker: Adeeb Al-Quthami, MD, RPVI, FACC, FSCMR, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Director of Cardiovascular Imaging and Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship, Medical Director of Echocardiography Laboratory, Upstate Medical University

Register to receive your Zoom link.

Thursdays, November 12 & 19 from noon-1:30 p.m., held online

This two-part session will include discussion of our knowledge of and experience with death, along with how to review and share with our loved ones and health care providers end of life concerns. We also will learn and review important documents and the best way to see that your preferences are honored by your medical providers.

Speaker: Joel Potash, MD, Emeritus Professor, Center for Bioethics and Humanities, Upstate Medical University, previous Medical Director of Hospice of CNY

Register to receive your Zoom link.

Radicchio: A Celebration of the Beloved Italian Vegetable

The Farmer & Foodway Series presents a book release with Davide Zimolo.

Thursday, Nov. 12, 7 p.m. at The Other Side, 2011 Genesee St., Utica

Join radicchio grower Davide Zimolo for an evening of stories and recipes.
Recipe books available for sale. Event is free and open to the public. Donations appreciated.

Elections and Social Radicalization in Israel

A presentation of The Carl A. Rubino Hamilton at The Other Side Speaker Series

Wednesday, November 18, 7 p.m. at The Other Side, 2011 Genesee St., Utica

The long-standing political deadlock in Israel is the result of increasing social radicalization that has been hard for many Americans to see. Professor of History Shoshana Keller will discuss the major conflicts among Israeli Jews that contribute to the environment for political instability. Talk is free and open to the public. Donations gratefully accepted.

Thursdays, November 12 & 19 from noon-1:30 p.m., held online

This two-part session will include discussion of our knowledge of and experience with death, along with how to review and share with our loved ones and health care providers end of life concerns. We also will learn and review important documents and the best way to see that your preferences are honored by your medical providers.

Speaker: Joel Potash, MD, Emeritus Professor, Center for Bioethics and Humanities, Upstate Medical University, previous Medical Director of Hospice of CNY

Register to receive your Zoom link.

Join FOCUS Greater Syracuse for a hybrid public forum exploring the lived realities of financial hardship in Onondaga County, the systemic barriers residents navigate, and the community initiatives building paths forward. This session is the second in a three-part fall series on economic instability; attendance at prior sessions is not required.

Event Details

• Date & Time: Friday, Nov. 20, 2026, from noon to 1 p.m.
• Format: Hybrid (In-person and via Zoom)
• Registration: Advance registration is required at FOCUS Greater Syracuse.

Featured Speakers

• Carolyn Brown, executive director, PEACE Inc.
• Gregory W. Dewan, executive director, Hiscock Legal Aid Society
• Qiana Williams, senior program officer of community investment, Central New York Community Foundation

Program Highlights

• Lived Experience & Community Solutions: Panelists will share insights from community research, frontline advocacy, and direct support work across Onondaga County.
• Moderated Q&A: Attendees can ask questions, discuss emerging local priorities, and learn how to connect with regional initiatives.
• Community Engagement: A welcoming, respectful space designed to foster shared knowledge and civic involvement in Central New York.

Tuesday, December 8 at 5 p.m., held online

Over 60% of adult women in the United States report some degree of urinary incontinence. Join Dr. Ginzburg for a candid discussion about causes, common types, and the array of both surgical and non-surgical treatment options to find relief for you or loved ones.

Speaker: Natasha Ginzburg, MD, Director, Female Pelvic Medicine and Surgery, Assistant Professor, Department of Urology, Upstate Medical University

Register to receive your Zoom link.

Join FOCUS Greater Syracuse for a hybrid public forum connecting residents with local programs, resources, and actionable steps to drive community economic change in Onondaga County. This session is the third in a three-part fall series on economic instability; attendance at prior sessions is not required.

Event Details

• Date & Time: Friday, Dec. 18, 2026, from noon to 1 p.m.
• Format: Hybrid (In-person and via Zoom)
• Registration: Advance registration is required at FOCUS Greater Syracuse.

Featured Speakers

• Bill Brower, director of public policy and community impact, MACNY – The Manufacturers Association
• Kenda Carfagno, financial wellness officer, Visions Federal Credit Union
• Representative, Syracuse Financial Empowerment Center (City of Syracuse)

Program Highlights

• Practical Resources & Pathways: Panelists share tools, programs, and strategies focused on financial empowerment, workforce development, and building local economic capability.
• Moderated Q&A: Attendees can ask questions, discuss emerging local priorities, and discover tangible ways to get involved in community solutions.
• Community Engagement: A welcoming, respectful space designed to build shared knowledge and foster civic participation across Central New York.