Recorded Classes

Analyze the current state of the Irani-American relationship, along with the changing balance of power between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Instructor: Faizan Haq, communication department faculty, Buffalo State College; founding president, Western New York Muslims

*This is a recording of the live streaming session that took place on October 14, 2020.

You will receive a general overview of cancer risks for men and women and healthy lifestyle tips.

Instructor: Nikia Clark, health education specialist, Office of Community Outreach and Engagement at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

*This is a recording of the live streaming session that took place on October 13, 2020.

We will cover technological advances, preventative medicine, and the evolving roles of health care providers.

Instructor: Lito Gutierrez, MD, member, New York State Public Health and Health Planning Council

*This is a recording of the live streaming session that took place on October 12, 2020.

Every personal encounter is an opportunity to persuade someone positively. Learn ways to get what you want using proven techniques.

Instructor: Rob Kubiak, creative problem-solving strategist

*This is a recording of the live streaming session that took place on October 9, 2020.

We'll cover the benefits of strength training, myths, specific exercises, and how to add strength training into your routine.

Instructor: Miranda McCoy, health coach, BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York

*This is a recording of the live streaming session that took place on October 8, 2020.

Click here to be taken to our Department's Wellness page for Richard Derwald's resistance band workout videos.

You've learned the basics in Football 101, now it's time to learn more about offensive formations and plays.

Instructor: Ryan Gadzo, research analyst, Erie County Department of Senior Services

*This is a recording of the live streaming session that took place on October 8, 2020.

Learn about common myths, warning signs, available support, and ways to proactively manage your mental health.

Instructor: Jocelyn Bos-Fisher, LCSW

*This is a recording of the live streaming session that took place on October 7, 2020.

Please click here for a list of some of the available supports.

Learn more about breast cancer diagnosis, the importance of screening, and today's treatment advances.

Instructor: Nikia Clark, health education specialist, Office of Community Outreach and Engagement at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

*This is a recording of the live streaming session that took place on October 6, 2020.

Who is a caregiver? Who can help the caregiver? How does a caregiver find services? Learn about the available resources in Erie County.

Instructors: Julie Bugg, Case Manager; Mary Jo Wasch, Assistant Long Term Care Coordinator, Erie County Department of Senior Services

*This is a recording of the live streaming session that took place on October 6, 2020.

Discuss the various types and review the figures of speech necessary to write a poem.

Instructor: Jim Banko, retired English Teacher, Buffalo Public Schools

*This is a recording of the live streaming session that took place on October 2, 2020.

What can be recycled, how should it be prepared, and, most important, what shouldn't go in your recycling tote? We'll talk about what to do with that old TV too.

Instructors: Gary Carrel, solid waste recycling specialist; Amy Alduino, recycling coordinator, Erie County Department of Environment and Planning, Division of Environmental Compliance Services; Phil Bove, Director of Sales, Sunnking

*This is a recording of the live streaming session that took place on October 2, 2020.

Early Buffalo Planning and Development How did Buffalo go from being a small pioneer town to the nation's ninth largest city? Examine its first 100 years of growth and development.

Instructor: Angela M. Keppel, AICP, project planner, Buffalo Place

*This is a recording of the live streaming session that took place on October 1, 2020.

What is the difference between condos, townhouses and patio homes? What are you buying? What are "common elements" ? How is a residential community like this managed? Who actually governs the homeowner's association? Are property taxes really lower or not? What types of financing are allowed for these types of properties? What is the best way to prepare for a move from a larger to a smaller residence? A local realtor with over 30 years of experience will help you answer these questions. Instructor: Michael Olear, MSW, Lead Broker, The Olear Team at MJ Peterson

*This is a recording of the live streaming session that took place on Thursday, June 18, 2020.

All of Western New York is a stage for Quince and her band of rude mechanicals. This series of scenes and monologues is the Shakespearean equivalent of a Greatest Hits Album. Four actors. Forty-Five Minutes of socially-distanced fun. Come celebrate 45 years of FREE Shakespeare with us! Coming soon to a Zoom, Park or Venue near you!

This was shown during a live streaming University Express class on 7/28/2020. Check out the next video to watch the Q&A session that took place after the showing.

Listen to the Q&A session with Lisa Ludwig, Grace Aroune, and Sean Crawford from Shakespeare in Delaware Park. This took place after the showing of the Shakespeare in Delaware Park's virtual series of scenes and monologues on July 28, 2020.

Join Erie County's recycling experts to find out what can be recycled, how your recycling should be prepared and perhaps most important, what should NOT go in your recycling tote. These staff members will also discuss the importance of reduction and reuse and the recently completed solid waste management plans for Erie County.

Instructors: Gary Carrel, Solid Waste Recycling Specialist; Amy Alduino, Recycling Coordinator, Erie County Department of Environment and Planning, Division of Environmental Compliance Services; Lori Caso, Public Affairs, Waste Management

*This is a recording of the live streaming session that took place on Tuesday, July 21, 2020.

This novella was the reason Hemingway won the noble prize for literature in 1954. Its simple story of an old man, the sea and a huge fish is a tale of recovery, faith and survival. It is a true classic of literature.

Instructor: Jim Banko, Retired English Teacher, Buffalo Public Schools

*This is a recording of the live streaming session that took place on Thursday, July 16, 2020.

Episode 11: Painting Shakespeare: Shakespeare's Influence on Art

Featuring guest artist Danielle Saeva, Locust Street Art Adult Painting Instructor

Sojourn into the lives of your ancestors through the digital world of the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library's genealogy databases. You may be surprised at what you could discover.

Instructor: Rhonda Hoffman, Genealogy Specialist, Buffalo and Erie County Public Library

Most superstitions are examples of basic patterns of thinking, which postulate mystical interconnections and causations in nature. In this talk such patterns of thinking are explored, shown to be based in six distinct principles, and explained with reference to a number of different superstitions collected by Dr. Stevens - and provided by the audience (bring along your favorites!). Such principles are universal, found in all cultures and periods of history and prehistory, which suggests that they represent fundamental ways in which the brain works.

Instructor: Phillips Stevens, PhD, Associate Professor of Anthropology Emeritus, University at Buffalo

*This is a recording of the live streaming session that took place on July 9, 2020.

A practice of Mindfulness can help reduce stress, improve outlook, and promote a better quality of life. We will learn about what Mindfulness is and how it can benefit you. We will also explore the power of gratitude and get tips for starting a daily practice of your own.

Instructor: Rachel Ceness, MS, RDN, Certified Health Coach, BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York

Distraction from worries. Increased decision-making skills. Improved memory. The benefits from reading can be achieved through reading plans or book clubs. Learn how to create your own during this interactive workshop.

Instructor: Rob Kubiak, President, Buffalo Men's Book Club

*This is a recording of the live streaming session that took place on June 25, 2020.

Episode 10: Students of Shakespeare: The Shakespearience Program

Featuring guest artist Kianna Dugan-Haas, Shakespeare in Delaware Park Keeper of the Hill and Former Apprentice.

What are probiotics and prebiotics and what effect do they have on our health? In this seminar, we'll learn about how bacteria affect our immune system and risk for chronic disease and discuss lifestyle changes that can help.

Instructor: Jennifer Johnson, Health Promotion Coordinator, BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York

Want to start meal prepping or learn some new tips? Join for a lesson about the benefits of meal prepping and the steps to make it manageable and fun. We'll also discuss some special considerations for those of us with sensory changes.

Instructor: Leanne Chung, MS, RD, CDN, Dietitian Consultant, Erie County Department of Senior Services

Episode 9: Designing Shakespeare

Featuring guest artist David Dwyer, Shakespeare in Delaware Park Scenic Designer

Join us for a discussion on the tactics that scammers use across the board to throw us off balance, and how they are using the COVID-19 pandemic to trick people into turning over their information and money. We will cover how scammers are manipulating the current pandemic to create a crisis, designed to elicit an emotional response so a person quickly purchases gift cards or sends cash. We will educate you the new ways scammers are having individuals send money, on what is being done to combat scams and where and how to report. Our goal is to help spark a realization of how scammers use these tactics to get money, so we can all be prepared for when we get that phone call, email, or letter in the mail.

Instructors: Sarah Duval, Esq., Supervising Attorney; Kathy Kanaley, Social Work Supervisor, E-MDT Coordinator, Center for Elder Law & Justice

*This is a recording of the live streaming session that took place on Thursday, June 11, 2020.

Episode 8: Directing Shakespeare: A Director's Approach to the Bard

Featuring guest artist Kyle Loconti, Shakespeare in Delaware Park Director and Stage Manager

Have you ever wondered how that street got its name? In Part Three of Discovering Buffalo One Street at a Time, we'll continue to learn more about the people behind the names of Buffalo's streets. Meet the man who declined a mayoral nomination, the brothers who helped get Buffalo an exposition, the man who grew "love apples", and more!

Instructor: Angela M. Keppel, AICP, project planner, Buffalo Place

*This is a recording of the live streaming session that took place on Thursday, June 4, 2020.

We will learn how to find the Social Security death index.

Instructor: Rhonda Hoffman, Genealogy Specialist, Buffalo and Erie County Public Library

This session will cover how to find and search through the HeritageQuest database of US obituaries.

Instructor: Rhonda Hoffman, Genealogy Specialist, Buffalo and Erie County Public Library

We will learn how to search through Revolutionary War pension files.

Instructor: Rhonda Hoffman, Genealogy Specialist, Buffalo and Erie County Public Library

This short lesson will teach how to access Freedman's Bank Records.

Instructor: Rhonda Hoffman, Genealogy Specialist, Buffalo and Erie County Public Library

We will learn how to search through books and directories during this lesson.

Instructor: Rhonda Hoffman, Genealogy Specialist, Buffalo and Erie County Public Library

Join for a lesson on how to access HeritageQuest online, a free database that includes access to many historical records. We will also learn how to search through US Census records using this database.

Instructor: Rhonda Hoffman, Genealogy Specialist, Buffalo and Erie County Public Library

The Author of the book entitled Buffalo's East Side Industry will discuss how Buffalo's East Side was the ethnic, cultural, and manufacturing center for Buffalo and Western New York. The Author will discuss some of these businesses in detail, discuss the growth of industry in Buffalo, and the process he used to write the book.

Instructor: Shane E. Stephenson, Director of Museum Collections, Buffalo Naval Park

Episode 7: Performing Through the Years with Shakespeare in Delaware Park

Featuring guest artist Norm Sham, Shakespeare in Delaware Park Actor.

Join for tips on photograph preservation at home, including paper and plastic storage options.

Instructor: Sue, Librarian, Grosvenor Room, Buffalo & Erie County Public Library

For more videos and information about genealogy research and local history research, click here to be taken to the Grosvenor Room blog.

Finding an immigrant's passenger list can be a difficult task considering the history of US mass immigration. In Part 1, we will talk about background, history and early passenger lists.

Instructor: Rhonda Hoffman, Genealogy Specialist, Buffalo and Erie County Public Library

Click here for the class handout.

For more videos and information about genealogy research and local history research, click here to be taken to the Grosvenor Room blog.

The U.S. National Archives is called the nation's filing cabinet. It is home to billions of records that if laid side to side would circle the earth more than 57 times. Imagine what information they may hold about your ancestors! Join us to learn about some lesser-known genealogically rich federal resources, where to look for clues that your ancestor interacted with the U.S. government, and how to learn about what records are available for research.

Instructor: Rhonda Hoffman, Genealogy Specialist, Buffalo & Erie County Public Library

Click here for the class handout.

For more videos and information about genealogy research and local history research, click here to be taken to the Grosvenor Room blog.

Forty years ago, in May of 1980, one of the most powerful volcanic eruptions occurred in the United States. Learn about Mount St. Helens, the days leading up to the eruption and the people who made history as a result.

Instructor: Theresa Wiater, Retired Teacher, Clarence Center Elementary School

Episode 6: Breaking Down Shakespeare: Analyzing & Interpreting Text

Featuring guest artist Peter Palmisano, Shakespeare in Delaware Park Actor and Shakespeare Educator

The 2020 Census is safe, easy, and important for funding and representation. Come learn about the history of the Census, what you can expect, and how it may impact us moving forward.

Instructor: Jason T. Eastman, PhD, United States Census Bureau

Click here for the handout.

Balancing your food intake with how much activity you do seems complicated. Let's break it down together!

Instructor: Janice Nowak, MS, RD, CDN, Dietitian Consultant, Erie County Department of Senior Services

Episode 5: Modern Interpretations of Shakespeare

Featuring guest artist Tracy Snyder, Former Shakespeare in Delaware Park Office Manager and Shakespearience Educator

Episode 4: Costuming for Shakespeare

Featuring guest artist Jenna Damberg, Shakespeare in Delaware Park Costume Designer

Episode 3: Music and Shakespeare: A Perfect Harmony

Featuring guest artist Sean Crawford, Office Manager of Shakespeare in Delaware Park.

Episode 2: Performing through the Years with Shakespeare in Delaware Park

Featuring guest artist Tom Loughlin, SDP Actor and Director.

Learn more about the ships docked at the largest inland naval museum in the county. USS The Sullivans and USS Croaker are World War II ships with unique and storied histories. USS Little Rock, as a flagship of the 2nd and 6th Fleet, oversaw many memorable events.

Instructor: Shane E. Stephenson, Director of Museum Collections, Buffalo Naval Park

In this last part we will cover European outgoing passenger lists and US border crossing records.

Instructor: Rhonda Hoffman, Genealogy Specialist, Buffalo and Erie County Public Library