AROUND TOWN

Compiled by Janice Llanes Fabry

 

<<This Weekend>>

 

Finely Ground

 

An opening reception of an exhibit of fine art photography of The Ground Glass will be held at The Rye Arts Center Saturday from 1-3. The Ground Glass, a Westchester-based association, was founded in 1975. For more information, visit ryeartscenter.org or thegroundglass.org.

 

Creature Connections

 

From the tiniest insect to the largest tree, animals and their habitats are linked. Discover how at Edith Read Wildlife Sanctuary on Saturday at 1. Explore the food web, life cycles, and predator-prey relationships in this live animal program.

 

An Afternoon of Improv

 

Ages 9 and up are invited to “Bring A Grownup” to The Rye Arts Center for an improvisation class on Saturday from 2-3:30. All ages will explore the exciting and hilarious fast-paced world of improvisation by playing games, doing exercises, and creating scenes. 

 

No experience is necessary. The fee is $50. Register at ryeartscenter.org.

 

 

With 2 paintings

<Twilight> and <Eden>, oil paintings by Avri Ohana

 

 

Landscapes Refigured    

 

An opening reception will be held at the Rye library on Saturday from 2-4 for landscape artist Avri Ohana, whose richly colored oils and acrylic paintings will be on display through November.              

 

“Though my work is never a direct replica of nature,” remarked Ohana, “I have always been drawn and inspired by it.” 

 

 

 

<<Talks, Workshops, & Just for Fun>>

 

Have a Chair

 

SPRYE offers gentle chair yoga on Mondays and Fridays through December 22 at the Port Chester/Rye Brook Library, with the exception of December 4. Led by SPRYE member Joan Gibbons, the free workshop invites participants to a beneficial fitness program. Wear loose, comfortable clothing. 

 

 

Safe in Cyberspace

A workshop on Microsoft’s Internet Browser will be held at the Rye library November 9 from 10-12. The session will include methods to reduce vulnerability to computer and Internet security problems by setting features. You’ll also learn about email security programs to help protect against malicious software.

No reservations required. First come, first serve.

 

Relax with Reiki

Join Reiki practitioner Andrea Deierlein for a conversation about Reiki at the Rye library on November 9 from 11-1. The natural healing practice that originated in Japan and promotes relaxation and wellness stimulates the body’s self-healing response through the light touch of the practitioner’s hands.

 

 

Math Mastery

 

Raising a math-confident daughter is the subject of a talk at the Rye library on November 9 from 6:30-8. In 2009, an Intel survey found most parents would rather talk to their kids about drugs and sex than talk to them about math. With the help of math mentor and learning expert Rebecca Zook, parents will discover how to support their children to achieve true mastery and even come to experience math as a source of joy and self-expression. 

 

 

Fall Stroll

 

Learn how nature prepares for winter at Read Sanctuary’s autumn ecology walk on November 11 at 1. Dress for the weather.

 

Jay’s Bright Stars

 

Astronomer Jason Kendall will present the wonders of our celestial neighbors through a telescope at the Jay Heritage Center on November 12 from 6-9. After discussing the fall skies, there will be a brief outdoor presentation about the Apollo missions to the moon and future lunar exploration. 

 

Admission is $15 per person, $40 per family. Light bites and beverages will be served.

 

Matinee to Go

 

The Rye Arts Center invites all to “Play With Your Food” on November 13 from 12-1:30. This company of actors will present clever and provocative one-act plays by contemporary playwrights. Enjoy the production and a short discussion afterwards before getting on with the rest of your day. 

The fee is $45. Register at ryeartscenter.org.

 

 

Capture the Moment

 

Learn to take better pictures using iPhone capabilities and its downloadable apps November 14 from 10:30-12 at the Rye library. Sponsored by the Little Garden Club of Rye, “iPhonography” with experienced photographer Chris Wood will make your photos come alive. 

 

You Are What You Eat

 

The Rye YMCA is offering a free nutrition seminar November 15 from 11:30-12:30. Participants will also receive tips on shopping, cooking, and food preparation.

 

For more information, contact elana@ryeymca.org.

 

Set in Stone

 

Lilian Sicular of Mamaroneck will share her family account of laying memorial stones at the former homes of German Holocaust victims. These <stolperstein,> or cobblestone-size concrete cubes, bear a brass plate inscribed with the names of victims of Nazi extermination. 

 

The program, sponsored by SPRYE, will be held November 15 from 3-4:30 at Wainwright House.

 

Social Security Scoop

 

Rye resident and certified financial planner Paul Tramontozzi will give a presentation on “Understanding Your Social Security Options” at the Rye library on November 16 from 10-11:30. He will provide insight into the kinds of decisions that retirees will need to make in the interest of maximizing their potential benefits. 

 

The Whole Health Picture

 

Holistic Moms has organized a lecture on naturopathic medicine at the Rye library on November 16 from 7:30-9. Dr. Kurt Beil will discuss this integrative approach and how the blending of modern medical science with ancient healing techniques, such as herbalism and acupuncture, helps promote health.

 

 

With photo

The underside of an Orange Oak Leaf butterfly, an example of natural camouflage

Photo by Alexander Vujadinovic

 

Adaptations 

 

The Bird Homestead will present a lecture by Victoria Alexander, Ph.D. on “Nabokov’s Unorthodox Theory of Insect Mimicry: Why Science Needs More Artists” at the Meeting House on November 18 at 3. Renowned Russian-American novelist Vladimir Nabokov (1899-1977) was also a butterfly scientist, who worked at the Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology.  

 

Alexander will cover how Nabokov, attacked for being unscientific, used his artistic knowledge to understand how evolution can work. Recently some of his work has been vindicated by DNA analysis. The interactive presentation will include fantastic images of insect mimicry and Nabokov’s own butterfly drawings.  

 

A generation earlier, Henry Bird (1869-1959) of the Bird Homestead was an entomologist specializing in the related subject of moths.

 

The event, made possible through the support of Humanities New York’s Public Scholars program, is free.

 

 

<<Family Ties>>

 

All for Nerf

 

Active Family Friday at the Rye YMCA is all about Nerfs on November 10 from 6:30-7:30. Activities will have the family moving with exercises geared to all ages.

 

The fee is $20 for family and youth members, $30 non-members. Email Kathy@ryeymca.org with questions. 

 

 

<<Teen Time>>

 

Trial Run

Take a full-length practice ACT exam under real test conditions at the Rye library on November 11 from 10:30-2:30. The Friday after the test, detailed score reports highlighting personal strengths and weaknesses will be available at www.applerouth.com.

Both exams and reports are free. Register at www.applerouth.com/signup. Call 371-8000 for more information. Test takers should bring water, a snack, pencils, and a calculator.

Let Them Entertain You

Area high school students have quite a show lined up for Fryeday Night Live at The Rye Arts Center, November 17 at 7. Music, theater, poetry, and more will be performed by talented teens.

Tickets are $5. Light refreshments will be served. 

 

<<Children’s Corner>>

 

 

Animal Kingdom Ballots

 

On their day off from school, preschoolers through fifth graders can elect an animal for president on Election Day on November 7 at the Rye Nature Center from 10-2. First, learn about how animals adapt to their local environment and then create campaign slogans about each candidate’s special strengths. The kids will vote for the strongest leader.

 

The fee is $70 per child for members, $80 non-members.

 

 

A Picture Sends a Thousand Words

 

Grades 3 and up can make a difference by helping the victims of the recent hurricanes at the Rye Free Reading Room on November 7 from 2-4. As part of the Stars of Hope disaster relief program, kids will paint inspirational messages and designs on a one-foot wooden star. The finished stars will be sent to the devastated communities.

 

 

Turning Over a New Leaf

 

Pre-school to grade 5 will examine how plants have adapted to defend themselves from hungry predators at a program at the Rye Nature Center on November 10 from 10-2. They will learn about common local species, from holly trees with spikey leaves to thorny wine berry bushes.  

 

Swift as an Arrow

 

Students in grades 6-8 can head to the Rye Middle School Gym for Rye Recreation’s archery tag adventure on November 17. Two sessions are available from 6:15-7:45 and from 7:45-9:15. 

 

Archery tag combines the intensity and excitement of dodge ball and paintball while using the skill set of archery with patented foam-tipped arrows. Unlike paintballs, the arrows leave no welts, bruising, or marks, so it’s fun and safe.

The fee is $25 for residents, $30 non-resident. For more information, call 967-2535.

 

 

Make a Holiday Centerpiece

 

The Rye Arts Center invites ages 6-12 to help lay the Thanksgiving table by creating a polymer clay turkey sculpture November 18 from 2-3 or 3-4. Terry Taylor will also show students how to use Magic Color Clay to create multi-color coils for the turkey’s tail.

 

The $15 fee includes all supplies. Members receive a discount.