Recorded Classes

Join for an informational session about strength training and its benefits. We’ll cover how to add strength training to your routine and where to go for more information and resources.

Instructor: Miranda McCoy, Health Coach, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York

*This is a recording of the live streaming session that took place on June 22, 2022. 

We’ll be introduced to vector-borne diseases, with a specific focus on Lyme Disease and West Nile virus. Our discussion will focus on disease description and treatment, risk factors, and personal preventive measures.

Instructor: Shauna Zorich, MD, MPH, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Epidemiology & Environmental Health, University at Buffalo

*This is a recording of the live streaming session that took place on June 8, 2022. 

What factors have shaped immigration and refugee policy in the United States? What would it take for Congress to agree to immigration reform?

Instructor: Laurie Buonanno, PhD, Professor, Department of Political Science & Public Administration, SUNY Buffalo State

*This is a recording of the live streaming session that took place on June 16, 2022. 

Meet the BPO’s assistant conductor Jaman E. Dunn, and learn about his path to the podium of the BPO!

Instructor: Jaman E. Dunn, Assistant Conductor, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra

*This is a recording of the live streaming class that took place on June 14, 2022.

Transitioning from a career to retirement is one of the biggest changes in most peoples’ lives. Join for a discussion on some common issues people face, how to plan, and how to make the most of your time.

Instructor: Jennifer Johnson, New Sky Coaching, LLC

*This is a recording of the live streaming session that took place on June 10, 2022. 

Learn about the various benefits programs administered by the Social Security Administration, including Retirement, Disability, Survivors, and Medicare and what services are offered online.

Instructor: Ben Stump, Public Affairs Specialist, Social Security Administration

*This is a recording of the live streaming session that took place on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. 

Consumers gravitate towards organic products for several reasons including quality, nutrition, safety, and environmental benefits. In this workshop we'll discuss what organic means, the practices that organic farmers follow, and how you can support organic agriculture in Erie County.

Instructor: Caitlin Tucker, New York Region Organic Consultant, Rodale Institute

*This is a recording of the live streaming session that took place on Monday, June 6, 2022.

Learn about the signs and symptoms of OSA and how it is diagnosed. We'll also cover the available treatment options and the risks of untreated OSA.

Instructor: Suzanne Stoklosa, MSN, ANP-BC

*This is a recording of the live streaming session that took place on May 25, 2022. 

Yoga has been around for thousands of years but does it work? And do you need to twist yourself into a pretzel to get the benefits? Join us as we discuss how yoga can improve your health and practice a few gentle postures together.

Instructor: Jennifer Johnson, Health Promotion Coordinator, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York

*This is a recording of the live streaming session that took place on Friday, May 20, 2022.

We'll discuss the types of anxiety, how anxiety can impact us, and ways to cope. Instructor: Mark O'Brien, LCSW-R, commissioner, Erie County Department of Mental Health *This is a recording of the livestreaming session that took place on May 3, 2021.

Understand how positive self-talk boosts confidence, builds self-esteem, and increases feelings of control over your life.

Instructor: Miranda McCoy, Health Coach, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York

*This is a recording of the live streaming class that took place on May 20, 2022. 

Erie County is developing an equity-centered Community Climate Action Plan and is seeking your input to ensure the plan addresses impacts that affect your neighborhood, your backyard, and your family.

Instructor: Tracy Skalski, Sustainability Coordinator, Erie County Department of Environment & Planning

*This is a recording of the live streaming session that took place on May 18, 2022. 

Visit Erie County's Climate Action website: https://www3.erie.gov/climateaction/ 

Learn about the ASL alphabet and how to sign some common phrases.

Instructor: Katelyn Koester, Deaf Access Services

*This is a recording of the live streaming session that took place on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. 

What was the world of electricity that Tesla was born into? How did he change that world? How was he treated after he died? How is he being treated today?

Instructor: Francis S. Lestingi, PhD, Professor Emeritus of History of Science and Physics, SUNY Buffalo State; President & Co-Founder, Buffalo Niagara Nikola Tesla Council, Inc.

*This is a recording of the live streaming session that took place on May 9, 2022. 

Learn which seeds should be directly sown outside, how to start seeds indoors, and how to successfully prepare your seedlings for transplanting. We’ll cover soils, light requirements, watering, timing, and more!

Instructor: Caitlin Tucker, New York Region Organic Consultant, Rodale Institute

*This is a recording of the live streaming session that took place on Monday, May 2, 2022. 

This is a story of connections. A short history of wool making in Bruge Belgium and how it relates to Buffalo and our experiences here. It also looks at how natural dyes indigo and the plants that create them Woad are woven into our community. It promises to be an interesting hour with lovely photos and interesting conversation!

Instructor: Mary Ann Kedron, MBA, PhD

*This is a recording of the live streaming session that took place on March 14, 2022. 

Learn about the work being done by the Roundtable to bring equity and prosperity to our region. We'll discuss who is at our table, the specific strategies we are harnessing, and how you can help make a difference.

Instructor: Felicia Beard, Senior Director of Racial Equity Initiatives, Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo

*This is a recording of the live streaming session that took place on November 18, 2021. 

As we prepare to tuck our gardens in for the season, we can rejoice in the fact that seed catalog season is upon us! In this class we'll unpack a lot of symbols and terms we see used to describe seeds - heirloom, open pollinated, hybrid, determinate, and more! We'll talk about the importance of regional adaptation and how to choose varieties that will thrive in your garden next year. Disease and insect resistance? We'll touch on that too! So, dig out your favorite catalog, or two, or three and let's geek out about seeds.

Instructor: Caitlin Tucker, Extension Assistant, Cornell Cooperative Extension – Cornell Vegetable Program

*This is a recording of the live streaming session that took place on December 9, 2021. 

If you’re always reading about different foods in the news or online, it can be hard to know what to believe. Are some foods really “superfoods”? Are there some foods you should completely avoid? We’ll learn how to separate the fact from the fiction.

Instructor: Jennifer Johnson, health promotion coordinator, Highmark BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York

*This is a recording of the live streaming session that took place on December 8, 2021. 

Learn about the ranges for high blood pressure, the risk factors, and treatment paths.

Instructor: Darcie Hanson, R.N., clinical coach, BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York

*This is a recording of the live streaming session that took place on December 7, 2021. 

Handouts: 

How I Can Reduce Blood Pressure

The Salty Six

What is High Blood Pressure? 

Step onto a paddle wheeler and travel along one of Europe’s storied rivers. We will float between two of the continent’s most interesting cities, with major tours along the way. See, for example, where Luther posted his 95 Theses, the restored beauties of Dresden, in addition to the fascinating capitals of Germany and the Czech Republic.

Instructor: Claude Welch, PhD, SUNY Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus Department of Political Science, University of Buffalo

*This is a recording of the live streaming session that took place on December 2, 2021. 

Eating a diet high in fiber is a big step toward improving your health - but most Americans don't consume the recommended 25 to 35 grams of fiber each day. Join us as we discuss how you can add more fiber to your diet and pick up some healthy recipes too.

Instructor: Jennifer Johnson, health promotion coordinator, Highmark BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York

*This is a recording of the live streaming session that took place on November 30, 2021. 

Tonawanda Coke was in operation in Western NY for over 100 years. Learn more about the coking process, the corporation’s conviction under the Clean Air Act, the investigations of the Tonawanda Coke Soil Study and the Environmental Health Study for WNY into the impact of its operation, and the ongoing remediation of the Tonawanda Coke property being done by the EPA and NYS-DEC.

Instructor: Tammy Milillo, PhD, Research Scientist Health Study for WNY, Dept. of Epidemiology and Environmental Health Research Assistant Professor, Dept. of Chemistry, University at Buffalo

*This is a recording of the live streaming session that took place on November 17, 2021. 

Did you know that Buffalo is home to more than a dozen urban farms and 100+ community gardens? Collectively, they have transformed more than 10 acres of vacant spaces into beautiful, bountiful spaces that feed their neighbors. In this class we’ll highlight the numerous social, economic, and ecosystem services that urban agriculture provides for our City. We’ll learn about the unique challenges that come with growing in urban environments – land access, soil quality, zoning and policies. Along the way we’ll cover key organizations that you can connect with to get started with community growing, school gardens, or establishing your own urban farm.

Instructors: Caitlin Tucker, Extension Assistant, Cornell Cooperative Extension – Cornell Vegetable Program; Allison DeHonney, CEO, Urban Fruits and Veggies LLC; Matt Kauffman, Farm Manager, 5 Loaves Farm; Tim Chen, Program Manager, Grassroots Gardens Western New York

*This is a recording of the live streaming session that took place on November 10, 2021. 

The presentation is for people living with COPD and their significant others. We’ll review treatment and medication options, daily self-care tips, warning signs and when to call your doctor.

Instructor: Suzanne Stoklosa, MSN, ANP-BC

*This is a recording of the live streaming session that took place on November 9th, 2021.