AROUND TOWN
Compiled by Janice Llanes Fabry
Watercolor by Brigitte Loritz
The Rye Free Reading Room
The “Read in Rye” series continues with author Heather Cabot who will be discussing her new book, “The New Chardonnay: The Unlikely Story of How Marijuana Went Mainstream”, August 12 at 7:30 on Zoom. The award-winning journalist delves into the story behind the booming cannabis business and explores the changing social perception, along with the fiscal, racial, and social impact of past policies. Visit www.ryelibrary.org and click on event date.
A StoryWalk program has been launched for kids with picture book story placards around the village green. A new story will be featured every week. The very popular entertainer Graham Clarke is back, too.
The library has also turned the page on contactless service. Place a hold on a book at ryelibrary.org and schedule a curbside pick-up. Families may also reserve and pick up Craft and STEM kits.
Online services include a complete Digital Library; business and employment resources; activities for children and adults; quick links to museum passes, music, and film; and Summer Reading for all grades by signing up for a READSquared account.
Rye Nature Center
Summer camps will be held through August 21. There is still some availability, so check the Programs and Camps link at ryenaturecenter.org for openings. CDC safety plans and protocols are also listed.
Online programs include a wilderness and science series, along with Mommy and Me classes. The grounds and trails are open from dawn to dusk.
The Rye Arts Center
The Center offers weeklong morning and afternoon classes through August 28. A child’s or teen’s entire summer could be filled with creativity and fun that includes drawing, musical theater, painting, ceramics, coding, robotics, and more. There are many adult classes, too.
Register at ryeartscenter.org. Visit the site for virtual art exhibits, such as a Student and Instructor Showcase and a Brigitte Loritz Retrospective, as well as Fryeday Not Live Ladies Comedy Night.
The Rye YMCA
The Y is now open for lap swim and outdoor group exercise by reservation. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 7-7, Saturday from 7-5. The facility is closed on Sundays for disinfecting. All protocols were developed in accordance with CDC guidelines.
Exercise classes will continue to be offered via Zoom. Visit ryeymca.org for more information and to view its Reopening with Care video.
Bird Homestead & Meeting House Conservancy
“Anthropocene”, a documentary that examines whether human impact has tipped the planet into this new geological epoch, will be available for streaming August 1-3 at any time of day. Obtain a link and password by emailing birdhomestead.meetinghouse@gmail.com with a request.
Directed by Steve Bradshaw, the film offers archival footage, history, and interviews with international scientists deciding whether the earth is shaped more by humankind than nature. Running time: 57 minutes.
Wainwright House
Visit wainwright.org for online yoga, movement, and meditation classes. Participants may register and set up a Zoom account for Therapeutic, Yin, and Energy Flow yoga; Mindfulness and Heartfulness Meditation; Tai Chi; and QiGong.
All movement classes are $10 and meditation classes are $5. For additional information, email registrar@wainwright.org.
Rye Youth Council
A College to Career two-part virtual workshop will be held July 28 and 29 from 6-7:30. At the Start Founder Sara Ramos will help college students and recent grads chart their course, identify opportunities, and align interests and skills. Learn interview strategies and have your resume reviewed by a professional coach. Register at ryeyouthcouncil.org.
The site continues offering other virtual programs, including the Middle and High School Grandfriend programs, connecting tweens/teens and senior citizens living at The Osborn.
The Council’s recently held spring benefit is also available virtually.
Rye Recreation
Golf, Dance, Ukelele, STEAM, Crafts, and Sports camps for ages 5-14 run through August 31. For details on these socially distant programs, visit www.ryeny.gov/government/recreation-department/programs.
Tennis lessons for grades 1 through adult are held Tuesdays through Thursdays. Courts at Disbrow Park are available through advanced reservation. For details on the opening of other outdoor facilities, visit the website.
In addition, camps for sewing, jewelry-making, aviation, magic, and sports are available virtually.
Read Wildlife Sanctuary
As the mid-Hudson Valley has been approved to enter phase four of reopening, the grounds of the 179-acre wildlife sanctuary remain open for park users wearing masks and maintaining a distance of six feet. Enjoy the Long Island Sound’s shoreline, Manursing Lake, marsh wetland, forest trails, a bamboo groove, and flowering fields.
Westchester Children’s Museum
Visit discoverwcm.org for weekly STEAM-based activities for the whole family. Topics of the week, such as Salt and Crystals, include tutorials for making colorful ice sculptures and growing a crystal garden.
Daily online programs on Facebook Live and YouTube include animal Mondays, Tuesday science experiments with Dr. Harmon, play and story time on Wednesdays, Thursday museum minis, and kindness story time on Fridays. Musical mornings are also on the schedule.