Don’t Miss
Ready, Set, Go!
The Rye YMCA has a full and active day planned for the community April 29. Healthy Kids Day activities run from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The 5K and 5-mile Derby races begin at 10:15 a.m. The 1-mile fun run/walk starts at 12:15 p.m. Enjoy delicious BBQ and awards after the races.
See you there!
Just for Fun
The Well-Feathered Nest
Nest Inspired Home has planned lots of great get-togethers in May.
On May 2, from 7-9 p.m., Suzanne and Lauren McGrath, Rye’s own mother-daughter interior design team, will talk about their new book, “Good Bones, Great Pieces”, in which they highlight seven essential pieces that will carry you through a lifetime.
Stop by Nest May 11, from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. to welcome Connecticut artist Kerri Rosenthal. She’s bringing many of her paintings along with her.
Louis Latour Wine Dinner
Travel through the wonderful wine and food pairings of Burgundy May 3 at 7 p.m. at La Panetière. The cost is $130. Reservations required; call 967-8140.
Also, celebrate Mother’s Day with a special menu May 13 from 12-8 p.m.
Flavorful Evening
Wine at Five will hold its sixth annual wine tasting at Wainwright House May 11 at 6:30 p.m. Call 921-5950 for tickets. Cost is $50 per person.
For a Good Cause
Treasures Await
The Thrift Shop at Rye Presbyterian Church will hold a giant spring sale May 5 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Shoppers will find a large number of quality items, some even new. Items are priced to sell and include jewelry, china, silver, lamps, frames, linens, housewares, toys, puzzles, books, collectibles, and easy-to-transport furniture.
All proceeds go to local nonprofit groups that help women, children, and senior citizens. The volunteer-run shop is open most Thursdays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., September through June.
Cinco de Mayo Celebration
The annual Carver Center benefit will take place May 5 at 7 p.m. at the Rye Town Hilton. Enjoy dancing and a live auction. Cocktail attire. For details, call 939-4464.
Come Out and Shop
The Woman’s Club of Rye, Children’s Philanthropy is gearing up for their eighth annual spring shopping boutique, Designing Women, Wednesday, May 9 from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. at Apawamis Club. New this year is Girls Night Out from 6 -8 pm, with a special gift bag for the first 50 shoppers as well as complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.
Enjoy a raffle where the grand prize is an ultimate barbeque for 20 guests.
Vendors old and new have exciting things in store for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, graduation, and beyond. Sophie’s Runway offers stylish fashion from Italy and France.
Farm Couture Living has a fabulous skincare and fragrance line. Lulu and Merie will fill all your stationery needs. If jewelry is your thing, don’t miss the selections from The Lady Ming and Keri Starker. For those on the wild side, check out the exotic skin bags.
Equipt For Play has women’s golf accessories that will keep you on course. With the right housewares, and the boutique will have plenty to choose from, housework has never looked so good. You’ll also be able to pick up a wide range of flowers and plants.
Come out and support the Woman’s Club of Rye, Children’s Philanthropy so they can continue to support children’s programs in Rye. Proceeds from Designing Women are given to the Rye Arts Center, Rye Youth Council, Rye Nature Center, Kids’ S.P.A.C.E., Rye Recreation, and more. Thanksgiving grocery gift cards and holiday presents are distributed to the less fortunate in the community. In addition, Children’s Philanthropy will once again present two high school seniors with awards based on the student’s community service and their desire to make a difference in the lives of children.
Cover the Court with Coins
Sole Ryeders is challenging the community to cover an entire tennis court at Rye Rec with coins, all of which will be donated to the Pinwheel Project in support of children with cancer. Stop by the courts May 12 between 8 a.m.-3 p.m. and place your coins on the court.
Other activities include community art projects, which will be used to decorate the hospital rooms of children undergoing bone marrow transplants, a holiday card workshop, and a bake sale.
Rye’s Citibank branch, the premier event co-sponsor, will provide banks for kids to collect coins, beverages for the bake sale, and will assist in the counting of the coins. The piggybanks can be picked up at Citibank and will also be distributed at Rye Youth Soccer on May 5.
Donations to “Coin for Coin Partners” go toward The Wig Exchange, which provides high quality wigs for women undergoing chemotherapy.
For more information, visit soleryeders.org.
Arts and Entertainment
Grammy Award-Winning Quartet
The Westchester Chamber Music Society closes out its season with the Parker String Quartet, April 29 at 8 p.m. at Congregation Emanu-El. The Parker Quartet has rapidly distinguished itself as one of the preeminent ensembles of its generation. Tickets are $35, free for students.
The program includes Mozart’s String Quartet #23 in F Major, K. 590, Janacek’s String Quartet #2 “Intimate Letters, and Beethoven’s String Quartet #14 in C-sharp Minor, Op. 131.
A coffee and wine reception with the musicians will follow the performance. Tickets are $35. For more information, call 967-7399.
The Society’s chamber music series for next year includes The Antonin String Quartet with Glenn Dicterow, The Orion String Quartet, and in one of their final performances as a group, The Tokyo String Quartet.
To Their Rescue
“Pet Photography with Artistic Effects,” an exhibit of Barbara Gebala’s images of rescued cats and dogs and artwork inspired by them, is on display at the Rye library through the end of May. An artist’s reception will be held May 5 from 1-3 p.m.
The photographer, who is a local graphic designer and artist, has been a volunteer with Pet Rescue, a non-profit organization based in Larchmont, since 2000. During this time, she has photographed thousands of animals, capturing their true inner beauty in hopes of finding them a forever home. Gebala dedicates the show to all those pets that were given a second chance in life, all those still waiting, and those that will not make it.
Taking Sculpture in New Directions
The Rye Arts Center’s new exhibit “Beyond Rodin —New Directions in Contemporary Figurative Sculpture” opens May 6, with an opening reception from 4-6 p.m. The exhibit features works by 20 U.S.-based sculptors who created innovative contemporary works of the human form.
Rye sculptor Bob Clyatt, curator of this exhibit, assembled the artists from across the region and nationwide. Clyatt says, “For decades, the human figure was considered off-limits for serious sculptors. It was kitsch, commercial art, or simply hopelessly old-fashioned and in a lot of cases, that summary dismissal was warranted. But in the last five or ten years, we’ve turned a corner and are seeing work that is both classically rooted and yet undeniably contemporary art. I believe this is the first show to bring together this new wave of figurative sculpture in a deliberate survey format.”
Installations are planned in the Gallery and on RAC grounds. Rye’s downtown shopping area along Purchase Street and the Village Green will host works by Joan Benefiel and Jeremy Leichman.
See works by Emil Alzamora, Sequoyah Aono, Deborah Baldizar, Susan Clinard, Tricia Cline, Bob Clyatt, Sarah Coble, Carole Feuerman, Barney Hodes, Alex Kveton, Jedediah Morfitt, Bret Reilly, Roger Reutimann, Bernard Rowan, Susan Saladino, Judy Sigunick, and Chris Smith.
The exhibit runs through June 16. For more information, visit ryeartscenter.org or call 967-0700.
Visual Memoir
“Exploring Our World: The Abstract Eye”, an exhibit of acrylics by Rye artist Joseph Blumstein, is on display through May 6 at Wainwright House.
The exhibit is inspired by Blumstein’s life experience, from being raised in a Jewish Orthodox household, to his professional career in corporate America, to his world travels with his family.
Talks and Workshops
So Long Stress!
Wainwright House presents Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction April 27 from 7-8 p.m. This skills-based training course includes meditation practices and cognitive approaches to self-management. Learn strategies to reduce everyday stress and manage chronic medical and psychological conditions. Call 967-6080 for more information.
Recent Grad Job Search
Lives in Transition is offering unemployed and underemployed 2010 and 2011 college grads an intensive hands-on program to target and nail their dream job. Learn how to write a winning resume and interview with focus and confidence.
Day and time will be determined by group availability. Email Lit3Program@gmail.com.
A View to Specialty Gardens
Celebrated photographer Rich Pomerantz will give an illustrated talk at the Rye library May 3 at 10 a.m. From rock and rooftop, to herb and healing, to butterfly and border, Pomerantz will present dozens of specialty gardens he’s photographed throughout the Northeast.
Pomerantz’s images have appeared in a number of periodicals, including Garden Design, Traditional Home, Horticulture, Fine Gardening, Organic Gardening, and Outdoor Photographer. His advertising clients include Miracle-Gro and nationally known landscape designers, corporations, and individuals.
Meditation 101
Attend a free introduction to the Transcendental Meditation technique May 3 from 7:30-9 p.m. at Wainwright House This technique is distinguished by its effortlessness, naturalness, and effectiveness. Learn to dissolve stress and improve mental and physical functioning. To register, call 967-6080.
Writing from the Heart
Nancy Aronie will share a unique approach to creative writing May 5 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Wainwright House. Learn to reverse the damaging effects done to your writing in school, where red pens and disciplined grammar taught you to mistrust your natural ability as a storyteller.
Cost is $140. Call 967-6080 to register.
Beautiful Arrangements
YL Event Design is offering classes in floral design and botanical crafts for all ages. Owner Yoli LaGuerre is an instructor at the New York Botanical Garden but the Rye resident wants to bring her services closer to home.
Adults can learn design tips and tricks and technical skills throughout May.
At Tulips, ages 4-7 will use seasonal flowers to create unique designs Sundays May 10-June 6 from 1-2:45 p.m. Cost is $200. Ages 8-13 can explore styles from around the world, with a focus on Japanese design, May 10- June 7 on Thursdays from 5-6:15 p.m. or Sundays from 3-4:15 p.m. Cost is $250.
For session dates and times, call 921-1575. The studio is located at 68 Purchase Street, third floor.
SPRYE Happenings
Rye’s aging-in-place organization has great events planned throughout the month of May. Enjoy a tour of Katonah Museum followed by lunch at Le Fontane, May 10 at 11 a.m. The cost is $25.
Take part in a current events discussion and breakfast at the Port Chester Diner May 16 at 9 a.m. Cost is $12. An appreciation tea for volunteers will be held May 23 from 3-4:30 p.m. at Wainwright House.
On May 24 from 1-3 p.m. enjoy a Tea Tour of Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the Mayor of the City of New York. Built in 1799, this city landmark is one of the oldest surviving wood structures in Manhattan. Tea, coffee, and light fare will be served. Bus pickup is at 12 p.m.
For more information, visit sprye.org.
Computer Classes
The Rye library is offering two free classes next month, “Computer Basics and Surfing the Internet” on May 10 and 17, and “Getting Started with Microsoft Word” on May 24. Classes run from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Call 231-3161.
Hunger No More
The Rye Women’s Interfaith Committee is sponsoring a program to benefit Helping Hands for the Homeless and Hungry.
The event will be held May 16 at 1:30 p.m. at Community Synagogue of Rye. Carol Birch, one of America’s premier storytellers, will offer Steinbeck Out Loud, a program of portions of “The Grapes of Wrath.” Listening to Birch’s interpretation of this thoroughly American novel is to be brought deep inside Steinbeck’s world as the stories soar, even as they echo today’s news.
The National Storytelling Network has recognized Carol Birch with the Circle of Excellence Award, an award given to those few who are recognized by their peers to set the standards for excellence. She has been a lecturer at more than 50 universities, a featured storyteller six times at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough,
Tennessee, and has performed at more than 100 storytelling festivals nationwide.
A suggested donation of $10 will be collected at the door. For additional information, contact Neva Winter at 967-3219 or newinter4@optonline.net.
Teen Times
Y Nights
Grades 9-12 can enjoy basketball, swimming (swim caps required), working out, video games, air hockey, ping-pong, and socializing with friends April 27 and May 4 from 7-10 p.m. At Middle School teen night, the popular Velcro Wall is back April 28 and May 12 from 7-10 p.m. Admission is free for members, $5 for Teen Access members.
Game Time
Play games on the library’s big screen May 4 from 3:15-5 p.m. Play “WWE Smack Down vs. Raw 2011” and many others. Players can also bring their own appropriate non-mature content Wii games. Snacks are provided.
Go Kart Racing
Ages 12-15 can join the Rye Y for an evening of unparalleled racing excitement at Grand Prix NY May 4. The bus departs 4 p.m. and returns around 9 p.m. Cost is $80 for family/youth members, $90 non-members. Fee includes transportation, racing, and dinner.
Safe Driving Workshop
The Rye library presents Safe@16, a driving workshop presented by Steve Mochel of Fresh Green Light Driving School, May 8 at 6:30 p.m. The informational program will cover teen driver statistics, New York State laws, and what parents can do to help teens become safe and responsible drivers.
Steve Mochel created Fresh Green Light after his own son received unsatisfactory driving instruction. He has a passion for helping new teen drivers beat the odds of having an accident their first year on the road and beyond. For more information, call 231-3161.
Practice Makes Perfect
Take a free practice SAT test conducted by Kaplan Test Prep at the Rye library May 12 from 1-5 p.m. Find out exactly what to expect on the actual test day, get a complete analysis of your results, and learn strategies to improve your score. To register, call 231-3161.
Kids’ Corner
Classic Story Book Tales
Ages 5 and up can meet Madeline, the beloved story book character, and celebrate her creator’s 114th birthday, April 27 at 3:30 p.m. at the Rye library. Sing “Happy Birthday” to author and illustrator Ludwig Bemelmans and enjoy stories and crafts about the little Parisian girl he made famous.
All tied up
From tying basic knots, to working with more advanced ones, to learning their history, ages 7-10 will get a quick education in knots, April 28 from 2-3:30 p.m. at the Rye Arts Center. Fee is $25.
Outdoor Movie Night
Grades 4 and 5 can see “The Adventures of Tin Tin” on a huge screen May 11 from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Popcorn and drinks will be served. Cost is $15 for residents, $20 non-residents.
Laser Tag
6th graders can take part in the action and excitement of laser tag with Rye Rec May 4 from 7-9 p.m. Join a team combat simulation that will execute missions that challenge participants to diffuse bombs, rescue hostages, and protect VIPs. Pre-registration is required. Cost is $25 for residents, $30 non-residents. Call 967-2535.
The Great Outdoors
Eco-Avengers
Join naturalist Anthony Cogswell to meet live animals and discover how your actions can help them in their natural habitats April 28 at 1 p.m. at Read Sanctuary.
Pond and Quarry
Join a Rye Nature Center naturalist and hike into the forest to explore various attractions, May 5 at 9:15 a.m.
Volunteer Clean-up
Help reclaim the Rye Nature Center forest from invaders May 12 at 11 a.m. Must be 12 or older. To sign-up, call 967-5150.
Marshlands Conservancy has great programming for the whole family this month.
Trail Maintenance
Help spread wood chips along the trails April 28 from 1-3 p.m. Bring work gloves; hand tools provided.
Up In the Air
Bring binoculars for a look at the first wave of migrating spring birds April 29 at 7:30 a.m.
Migratory Observation & Work Project
Bring binoculars for sightings of warblers May 12 at 7:30 a.m. From 1-3 p.m. help remove debris and unwanted vegetation.
The Blooms of Spring
Explore the beauties of spring, on a Mother’s Day hike from meadow to shore May 13 at 2 p.m.
Family Ties
Daddy & Me Animal Show
Fathers can bring their children to this fun filled animal adventure May 12 from 9:15-10 a.m. at Rye Nature Center. Cost is $10 for members, $15 non-members.
Save the Date
Off the Runway
Jay Heritage Center’s popular Spring Luncheon & Fashion Presentation by Neiman Marcus Westchester returns to the elegant waterfront setting of American Yacht Club May 17 from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Proceeds benefit performances and educational programs in American history, architecture, social justice, and environmental stewardship.
This harbinger of warmer weather is usually a sell-out. RSVP by May 11; call 698-9275. Spring hats are encouraged.
Beach Bash
Mark your calendars for Hailey’s Hope Foundation’s annual benefit, honoring Olivia and Lawrence Blau, June 2 from 7-11 p.m. at Manursing Island Club. Proceeds benefit families of premature and critically ill babies hospitalized in Neonatal ICUs at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital and other area hospitals.
Enjoy cocktails and dinner overlooking the Sound, great raffles, a beachside marshmallow roast, and more. For information on sponsorship opportunities, journal advertisements, and ticket sales, call 584-8833. Tickets are $150 and can also be purchased at haileyshopefoundation.org.
