SYRACUSE — Activities offered at the Syracuse Public Library, located at 115 E. Main St., Syracuse, during the week of Jan. 1 – 6, are listed below:

Knitting is Best in the Winter

At our latitude we are in for some long evenings. Reading and watching movies and TV dramas are favorite ways to wile away the hours. The Syracuse Library has many popular broadcast series for binge-watching. This first week of the year begins a weekly knitting or crocheting time for adults and young adults to make goals and get encouragement. Thursdays at 5 p.m. people who knit or crochet are invited to work on their latest project.

Friends are already starting the new year with a meeting at 10 a.m. on Jan. 4. They will be helping to plan the bus trip to see the crane migration at Jasper-Pulaski Nature preserve in March. They are helping with other programs and planning a luncheon with author Jeanne Dams. Newcomers are always welcome.

Chair yoga will be starting at 10:15 a.m.  Jan. 2. Consistency is the key to success. The Thursday trail walk and advanced chair yoga is cancelled because of a timing conflict with the Friends meeting but resumes for weekly meetings Jan. 11.

This First Week in January

WorkOne is committed to offering  full-service assistance in the Syracuse area. They are here from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. Besides helping people connect with employers, they also offer training and pointers on writing resumes and successful interview techniques.

Children have activities at 2 p.m. for the second week of their holiday vacation. They are making goop on Tuesday, Jan. 2. The rest of the week continues with making cookies, playing Uno and a movie. A paper flower decorating contest is ending on Friday, Jan. 5. It is a fun activity to do while picking up some books to read over the break.

The National Center for Health Statistics has tracked the age and ways that people die every year. The numbers show that for the second year in a row, the average life expectancy in the United States has decreased. Heart disease and cancer are still the leading causes of death, but the dramatic jump in diseases of despair have contributed to the deaths of a significant rise in people under age 55. Overdoses, suicide and alcoholism have led to a decline in overall life expectancy, but those that reach age 65 are more likely to live past the 78 year average. Activities with other people decrease a feeling of alienation, and community relationships contribute to a feeling of self worth. This year people of all ages should reach out to discover the many events that are offered in the local community.