A Good Story
Voices of the Community
Be a part of the 2014 Rye Y Story Project Exhibit, November 12-14. Stop by the story booth in the lobby and share your Y journey story. Or submit it online at ryeymca.org.
This Weekend
Registration Time
Rye Y’s Winter Session registration is ongoing for members and begins Friday for non-members. For a complete list of programs, visit ryeymca.org.
Little Orphan Annie
Over 50 Rye Middle School students will perform the musical “Annie, Jr.” on Friday and Saturday. Based on the classic story about a young girl living in an orphanage, the show portrays Annie’s journey and feature famous songs from the original production.
Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Rye High School Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Tickets, which can be purchased at the door, are $5 and free for senior citizens.
Full House, Fellows
Head to the Knapp House for a gentleman’s evening of cards, spirits, smokes, and snacks, Friday at 8 p.m. The Knapp House (c. 1667) is the oldest residential structure in Westchester, and home to the Rye Historical Society’s extensive collection of documents, photographs, and maps.
Entry is $60 (chips included). Proceeds go towards improvements of the historic building. RSVP to poker.ryehistoricalsociety@gmail.com or call 967-7588.
Animal Antics
Take part in an animal adventure, Saturday from 9:15-10 a.m. at the Rye Nature Center. Cost is $10 for members, $15 non-members.
Painless Wellness
As part of the ongoing health series at the Rye library, listen to a talk on “Chronic Pain and Fibromyalgia,” Saturday at 10 a.m. Dr. Kurt Waples of Larchmont Wellness discuss ways to diminish pain as well as lifestyle strategies to live pain-free.
Jungle Story
Puppeteer Ronald Sopyla combines storytelling and shadow puppetry in “The Other Side of the Jungle,” Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Rye library. Journey through a jungle in this performance of a tale from India told with a mix of Indonesian and Chinese puppets.
A Classical Afternoon
Presented by the Westchester Chamber Music Society, the Kafavian-Schub-Shifrin Trio will perform, Sunday at 4 p.m. at Congregation Emanue-El of Rye.
The group consists of three amazing musicians, who are members of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. The program will vary from Milhaud to Khatchaturian to Schumann.
Meet the trip at a wine and cheese reception following the performance. Tickets are $40, and may be purchased at the door. Students can attend for free.
For a Good Cause
Help Keep Our Neighbors Warm
Donate to the 23rd annual coat drive sponsored by the Children’s Collective. More homeless families than ever need winter clothing. Help keep them warm by donating clean coats, sneakers (tied together), gloves, hats, and boots.
Drop off donations at the Rye Y or Dollar Cleaners November 4-8.
Super Fashion Event — Live
The Auxiliary of St. Vincent’s Hospital Westchester in Harrison will honor Michael Strahan, Super Bowl champion, Fox NFL Sunday analyst, and co-host of the television show “LIVE with Kelly and Michael,” at its 58th annual Luncheon and Fashion Show, November 7 at Westchester Country Club. Mr. Strahan will be honored for his charitable work on behalf of disadvantaged and sick children.
The event features a fashion show presented by Saks Fifth Avenue of Greenwich, including Oscar de la Renta’s Children’s Collection.
Tickets are $150 per person. Call 925-5401. Proceeds will benefit St. Vincent’s mental health and chemical dependency recovery services for children, adolescents, and adults.
Arts and Entertainment
Area Photography On Display
Red Circle PhotoArts, a group of fine art photographers based in the metropolitan area, will have its first group exhibition, “Here, There, and Everywhere,” at The Rye Arts Center, November 2-27. An opening reception will be held November 8 from 6-8 p.m.
The exhibit includes a mix of landscapes, street photography, and abstracts.
Metropolitan Mix
“New York City and Beyond” a show of recent work by Elizabeth B. Derderian, is on display November 6-29 at the Rye library. A reception for the artist will be held November 9 from 2-4 p.m.
This is the tenth solo show for the award-winning artist. Derderian’s work can be seen locally on the walls of On the Way Café, Ruby’s, and Sotheby’s.
Ladies LOL
Laugh out loud and enjoy an evening of entertainment of four fabulous female comics at the Rye Arts Center November 7 at 7:30 p.m. “She Said What?” features headliners Michele Balan and Jane Condon. Bonnie Levison and Kim Berns are the hosts.
Tickets are $65 and include light refreshments and libations.
Flights of Fancy
An opening night fundraiser for “On the Wing: Birds of the Bird Homestead and Meeting House,” an exhibit of 55 photographs by Nadia Valla, will be held November 16 from 6-8 p.m. at the Meeting House. Head to the after-party dinner at American Yacht Club, where Valla will be toasted. Valla has photographed almost all the bird species, which have been documented by naturalist Alison Beall on the two sites.
Valla is a French-born photographer and a member of the Little Garden Club of Rye. In the early 1980s, she moved to the U.S., where she earned a professional photography degree. Later, she became a photography teacher, and worked as a docent at the International Center for Photography and as a lecturer at the Metropolitan Museum.
The Bird Homestead’s mission includes conserving the coastal habitat and biodiversity of the adjoining properties, while inspiring an appreciation of the natural world.
Proceeds will benefit both the Meeting House and Bird Homestead. Tickets start at $75 per person for the opening cocktail party, and at $150 including dinner afterward. A portion of each ticket is tax-deductible.
For more information, email birdhomestead.meetinghouse@gmail.com or call 967-0099.
Area Potters
Head to the Rye library to browse and purchase the wares of the Hudson River Potters, November 22 from 2-5 p.m. and November 23 from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The group was formed over 30 years ago with the goal of sharing strategies, technical insights, failures and triumphs in an atmosphere rich in creative energy.
A portion of the proceeds will benefit the library.
Talks and Workshops
Storytellers Dig In
Join the Rye Storytellers’ Guild to share traditional and personal tales and trade tips on storytelling techniques, November 5 at 6 p.m. The next meeting’s theme is “Digging into Our Ethnic Treasure Trove of Folktales.”
From Ghost Story to Godfather
The Rye Free Reading Room book groups have announced the selections for their next meetings. The Thursday Afternoon Group’s book for its November 7, 1:15 p.m., meeting is Henry James’ “The Turn of the Screw.”
The Friday Book Café title for its November 8, 9:30 a.m., session is “The Family” by Mario Puzo. Call the library at 231-3161 for this meeting’s offsite location.
Link ‘n’ Learn
At the next Lives in Transition meeting, learn tips and gain information on LinkedIn, November 7 from 7-9 p.m. at Rye Presbyterian Church. Brian Tietje, Strategic Account Executive for LinkedIn, will provide an insider’s view. A national speaker and expert, Tietje will explain the power of this popular and important global professional network.
Connect to trusted contacts and exchange knowledge, ideas, and opportunities.
RSVP to livesintransition@gmail.com.
Always Be Selling
Review the basics of selling on eBay, November 9 at 10 a.m. at the Rye library. Learn about opening a seller’s account, researching your items, creating listings, improving descriptions and photography, setting prices, opening a PayPal account, and completing your transactions.
Jennifer Stevens, a longtime eBay seller and eBay certified Education Specialist, will lead the workshop.
Our Beloved Downton
You watch the popular PBS show, and yearn to walk the majestic halls of Lord and Lady Grantham’s Downton Abbey. Now is your chance to learn the real history of Highclere Castle, or Downton Abbey, at the Jay Heritage Center, November 10 from 3-5 p.m. While famous today as the country house depicted in “Downton Abbey,” the Berkshire castle has a rich and fascinating history that goes far beyond its television fame.
Home, since 1672, of the Herbert family, later Earls of Carnarvon, the current English Renaissance Revival house was built in the early 19th century by architect Charles Barry.
Architectural historian Curt DiCamillo will explore Highclere Castle, linking it to other Victorian country houses, and explaining how the fictional Downton plotline has unexpected connections to Highclere’s history.
For more information, visit jaycenter.org.
Take Me to the Internet
Take part in a two-part workshop on Internet Basics, November 14 and 21 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Rye library. Learn to use Microsoft’s Internet Explorer and review security and privacy issues. E-mail basics in the new and old Microsoft programs will be covered including set-up and sending, receiving and downloading attachments.
Learning to Just Say No
Tom Grimes, a 20-year veteran of the NYPD, will speak to teens and their parents on drug use awareness at the next “Heard in Rye” talk, November 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Rye High School. Grimes is a regular speaker in and around the Rye community, and has years of experience speaking on Internet and drug and alcohol awareness.
Medicare Open Enrollment & Long-Term Care
Dennis Barlotta of The Westchester Benefit Group will present the ins and outs of Medicare Open Enrollment, November 16 at 10 a.m. at the Rye library. The Open Enrollment period runs from October 15 through December 7, and during this very important time of the year, seniors on Medicare can change from one kind of medical and prescription coverage to another. New coverage choices become effective on January 1.
Barlotta’s talk will be followed by a presentation by Jennifer Lavelli at 12 p.m. that will address many aspects of Long-Term Care.
For more information, call 231-3161.
Worldwide Storytelling Celebration
The Rye Storytellers’ Guild will commemorate the global storytelling event locally at the Rye library November 16 at 7 p.m. The evening is dedicated to the memory of Diane Wolkstein, a noted international storyteller and tale collector who died earlier this year.
Along with tales told by members of the Guild, guest teller Melissa Heckler will share personal remembrances and a story from Diane Wolkstein’s story chest. Heckler was a protégé of Wolkstein’s and is a beloved Westchester teller.
New Neuropsychiatry
SPRYE presents a talk by psychiatrist David Hellerstein, who will discuss his book, “Heal Your Brain,” November 20 from 3-4:40 p.m. at Wainwright House. Building on new knowledge of the brain based on advanced imaging techniques, Dr. Hellerstein will detail the advances of neuroscience and medicine with the art of the storyteller to show how the “new neuropsychiatry” can alter the course of one’s life.
Refreshments will be served at this free event.
Family Ties
Give Thanks
Stop by the Rye Y to create your Family’s Leaf, November 7 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. All leaves will be pinned to the Tree-of-Thanks for the month of November.
Refreshments will be served. For Y Family members only.
Spingo, Anyone?
Play Bingo and enjoy a scrumptious spaghetti dinner, November 8 from 6:30-8 p.m. at Rye Rec. Several variations of Bingo will be played for a variety of prizes.
For children in grades 2 and up and their parents. Cost is $14 per person. To register, call 967-2535.
A Long Look Back at Native American & Colonial Life
The Rye Historical Society and The Friends of Rye Nature Center will co-host a program celebrating the origins of Thanksgiving, November 23 from 2-4 p.m. at the Square House. Participants will explore the tools, techniques, and foods commonly used by the early inhabitants of the area. Taste a sampling of foods common to the Native American and colonial diet.
The cost is $10 per family. Reservations are suggested; call 967-7588.
Owl Hike
Hike the Rye Nature Center’s trails and lean about local nocturnal life, November 23 at 5 p.m. Cost is $5 for members, $8 non-members.
Teen & Tween Times
Garage Band Bender
RyeTV is offering several free classes in the Rye High School TV studio. High school students are welcome to bring your electric guitar or use keyboards and mics to create music with Garage Band software. The workshops will be offered November 4 and 6 from 6:30-8 p.m. and November 18 and 20, same time.
Karaoke Night
Fifth and sixth graders can head to Rye Rec for a night of singing and dancing, November 15 from 7-9 p.m. Showcase your vocal talents and enjoy Wii dance games, and a DJ. Cost is $20. For residents only.
Soaps Up!
Learn about all soapmaking and make fancy bars to take home, November 16 at 2 p.m. at the Rye library. Westchester artist Susan Ordahl explains the different methods and ingredients for making and shaping soap and shows participants how to create their own soap leaves and petals to take home.
Space in the workshop is limited; register by calling 231-3172.
Children’s Corner
Gets Our Vote
On Election Day, November 5, school may be out, but grades K-6 can enjoy the day off at the Rye Y from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Pack a lunch, swimsuit, swim cap, and towel. Cost is $65 for members, $80 non-members.
The program will also take place on Veterans Day, November 11.
Peter Rabbit for President?
Children in grades K-5 can join the Rye Nature Center on Election Day and elect a new RNC animal president, November 5 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Participants will learn all about how animals adapt to their local environment.
Cost is $60 for members, $70 non-members. Pre-registration is required; call 967-5150.
Girls Night In
Ages 5-11 can spend a few hours at the Rye Y with friends, November 15 from 6:30-9 p.m. Enjoy swimming, jewelry making, nail painting, games, and dinner. Per child cost for Family members is $10, $15 Youth members, and $20 non-members. To register, call 967-6363.
Adventures for Families with Special Needs
Children with special needs and a family center can enjoy animal programs, hikes, and other science and sensory adventures, November 16 at 10 a.m. at the Rye Nature Center. There is no fee but pre-registration is required. For more information, email christinesiller@ryenaturecenter.org.
Wilderness Skills
Can you make a fire without using matches or a lighter? If not, you can learn a variety of fire making methods, from ancient to high tech, at the Rye Nature Center, November 16 at 3 p.m. Cost is $5 for members, $8 non-members.
Save the Date
For Extraordinary Volunteerism
The Rye City Lions Club has selected Sandy Samberg as the recipient of the 2013 James A. and Marian M. Shea Community Service Award. The award was established in 2003 to recognize an individual who lives or works in the Rye community who has contributed to enhancing the lives of its citizens by volunteering services of an outstanding nature.
In 2007, Samberg founded SoleRyeders & Friends (soleryeders.org), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing and supporting local cancer-related programs. Since its inception, the organization of over 200 dedicated friends, families, and neighbors has raised over $1 million. Samberg went on to launch The Wig Exchange – the Gift of Hair From Women Who’ve Been There (thewigexchange.org), a program to provide women undergoing chemotherapy with high-quality wigs and practical advice and support.
Susan Marynowski, a friend and SoleRyeders member herself, says, “Sandy cares so strongly about helping others. Her never-tiring, upbeat attitude reflects on what type of role model she is to both young and old.”
The annual award will be presented November 22 at the Lions Club Annual Charter Night Dinner at American Yacht Club. Cocktails begin at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m.
For tickets, contact Dave Heller at Dheller813@aol.com or 967-7041.
Ready, Set, Run
Rye Rec’s 37th annual Turkey Run and Paws Walk-A-Thon is set for Saturday, November 30. Check-in begins at 8 a.m. Registration forms are available online at ryeny.gov.
Mistletoe Magic Is Coming to Town
Head to downtown Rye to celebrate the start of the joyous holiday season, December 1 from 12-3 p.m. The Rye Chamber of Commerce has planned a wonderful winter afternoon for families of all ages.
Classical Evenings
Gifted young musical artists from Mannes College will perform in a salon series at Wainwright House beginning December 7. Each of the four evening programs — two of piano and two of chamber music — begin at 8 p.m. After the concerts, guests are invited to a reception with the artists.
Tickets are $100 for the series, $30 per event. Seating is limited. For reservations, call 967-6080 or visit wainwright.org.
