Resources

Raising awareness about autism

It is estimated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that autism has risen to one in every 88 births in the United States. In order to raise awareness about the programs and services available to families affected by autism, the New York State Senate has commemorated April 2013 as Autism Awareness Month.

SAS holds first-ever Battle of the Bands at SRC Arena

Up-and-comers in the Central New York music scene will compete for prizes as well as the coveted title of “Best Band” this weekend, and they’ll support a good cause at the same time. Stand Against Suicide will host its inaugural Battle of the Bands on Saturday, April 20, at the SRC Arena at Onondaga Community College. Doors open at 11 a.m. and bands begin competing at noon. Tickets are $7 for students and $12 for adults. Eighteen bands will compete for a chance at the title as well as prizes.

Beaver Lake Nature Center - plenty to keep busy during spring break

Beaver Lake Nature Center's Spring Vacation Camp is the perfect way for first through fourth graders to spend spring break (from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, April 1 to 5).

CNY SPD Parent-Connections offers support for parents of children with sensory processing disorders

When Caryn Daher’s son, Jon, was little, he was into everything — even more than the average toddler. “He was… constantly bumping and crashing into things and people and seeking-jumping type activities,” said Daher, a Cicero resident. “He had difficulty in regulating and responding to movement activities appropriately. It went far beyond a ‘busy’ toddler.” In addition, Jon struggled with a variety of sounds, often withdrawing or avoiding certain situations because of the noise level. He had higher-than-average sensitivities to food, temperature and touch. In addition, his speech was delayed. It was that delay that led to help for his other issues. Through his speech therapist, Jon was diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder.

Lysander Parks and Recreation offerings in February

Held from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20, at the Lysander Town Hall auditorium, this course will include planning for a babysitting job, knowing what to expect of children, selecting toys and games, supervising children, preventing accidents, giving first aid, rescue breathing, care for infants and children and feeding them.

COLUMN: It Really Does Compute

Whether you were an early adapter or have furiously resisted for decades, computers are a fact of modern life and we’re here to help you make the most of them with dozens of computers for public use and classes for everyone from newbies to old pros.

Beaver Lake Nature Center - February schedule

Grapes on ice this Friday

Beaver Lake Nature Center is an Onondaga County Park located at 8477 East Mud Lake Road, four miles west of Baldwinsville off Route 370.

COLUMN: Library Focus - February offers classes, tax help and more

The world is changing rapidly but our mission remains the same: to help you. That’s why we supply tax forms, offer computer classes, sponsor exercise classes, host book groups, provide craft workshops and stock our shelves with thousands of books, CDs and DVDs designed to instruct, empower and entertain you.

WCNY launches campaign to promote local causes

WCNY has launched a new effort aimed at helping local nonprofits. “Won’t You Help a Neighbor?” uses the public broadcast station’s many media resources and connections to promote causes near and dear to Central New York residents.

Local author to dispel myths of mental illness

Now, more than ever, it’s critical to talk about mental illness.

The Molly Project seeks to comfort women with cancer

More than 20 years after losing her mother to cancer, Kristin Atkinson is channeling her grief into helping other women. Atkinson of Cicero, Kristin Johnson of Cicero and Tara Polcaro of North Syracuse started The Molly Project as a way to provide comfort to women affected by cancer and their families. Named after Atkinson’s late mother, The Molly Project got its start a year ago when Johnson’s sister called her, looking for a way to help a co-worker with cancer.

Animal Alliance named recipient of CNY Community Foundation grant

The Animal Alliance of Greater Syracuse has been selected to receive a $20,000 grant from the Central New York Community Foundation to purchase start-up equipment for a mobile spay/neuter clinic, which will move around to various city locations altering both dogs and cats belonging to low-income residents.

Learn to cross-country ski or snowshoe

This winter, Beaver Lake Nature Center invites visitors to explore the winter woods and meadows.

Syracuse Parent