Compiled by Janice Llanes Fabry

 

This Weekend

Winter Wildlife
Families with special needs are invited to the Rye Nature Center on Saturday at 9:30 to enjoy animal programs, hikes, and other fun science and sensory adventures. For more information, email marygillick@ryenaturecenter.org. No fee, but pre-registration is required.

 

Let Those Creative Juices Flow
Unleash your creativity and put pen to paper with the help of author Carol Costa in a workshop at the Rye Free Reading Room on Saturday from 11-1.  Utilizing techniques to get your creative juices flowing, Costa provides a supportive and comfortable environment. Bring a laptop, iPad, notebook, or lined paper, whatever writing instrument sets you free to create.

 

Living and Flourishing Together
Jim Conroy and Basia Alexander will offer an out-of-the-box solution to ecosystem degradation on Saturday from 11-12:30 at Wainwright House. The “Live and Let Live” authors focus on how people can collaborate with living beings to restore ecological health and connect with nature.

A book signing will follow. The fee is $25 for members, $28 non-members.

 

Dieting Persuasion
Weight loss is much more effective when the subconscious reenforces will power. On Saturday at Wainwright House from 1-4, Janice Matturro will help dieters discover the power of the subconscious in achieving weight-loss goals through hypnosis.
The workshop is $68 for members, $74 non-members. Register at www.wainwright.org.

Arts & Entertainment

 

Camera-Ready
“Rye — My Hometown & Beyond” an exhibit of photographs by Ceil Harrigan will be on display at the Rye Free Reading Room March 3-28. At a reception and silent auction March 14 from 1-4, meet the photographer and have the opportunity to purchase some of her work (matted and framed). Proceeds will benefit the library.

“Imagery is my life and life is something beautiful,” says Harrigan, who has a lifelong love of photography and a passion for working with people, pets, and natural surroundings, from seascapes to landscapes to sporting events.

 

 

Local Color
An exhibit of portraits by contemporary artist and Rye resident Alex Davitt continues at the Rye Free Reading Room through February 26. Specializing in both people and animals, the self-taught artist captures the intensity and quirkiness of her subjects.
 

Found in Translation
New works by Joseph Blumstein are on display through February 28 at the Rye Arts Center. After an inspiring trip to Italy, Blumstein has returned with a unique perspective on the Italian cultural scene. The show reveals the artist developing through several periods and experiences and his translation of positive/negative space to three-dimensional pieces.

 

Evolution of Rye
The Rye Historical Society’s new exhibit, “Immigration in Rye”, shows the impact that the mass migrations of the 19th and 20th centuries had on our community. The exhibit chronicles the role immigration played in Rye’s rapid population growth through archival documents, photographs, and artifacts.
For further information, call 967-7588 or visit www.ryehistory.org.

 

Year of the Goat
The 2015 Chinese New Year has officially begun and SPRYE is celebrating. On February 26 at noon, join this active group for a Chinese New Year’s lunch at a local restaurant arranged by member Frank Woo.

The cost is $25. For more information, call Betti at 481-5706.

 

Warming to Jazz
Wainwright House’s jazz series continues on March 1 from 11:30-2 with Mark Morganelli. The renowned trumpeter is the executive director of Jazz Forum, which has presented concerts throughout New York since 1979. He has produced over 50 CD’s, 20 of which were recorded at the landmark Birdland Club where Morganelli was the music coordinator for five years. 

Reserve a seat by calling 967-6080 or visiting www.wainwright .org. Tickets are $40 for members, $45 non-members, $15 for children under 12.  

 

 

TGIZ!
That’s right. Thank God it’s Zumba night at Wainwright House February 24 from 6:45-8:30. Enjoy Matha Oceguna with the girls. Exercise the night away with Zumba dancing while enjoying libations and snacks. Admission is $25. Call 967-6080 to register.

 

Talks & Workshops

 

Good Reads
The Free Reading Room book groups have announced their upcoming selections.

The Thursday Afternoon Book Group will read “The Deep End of the Ocean” by Jacquelyn Mitchard for its March 5, 1:15 meeting. The Friday Book Café will discuss “A Lesson Before Dying” by Ernest J. Gaines on March 6 at 9:30. (Call the library at 231-3161 for this meeting’s offsite location.)

Everyone is welcome to join the discussions.

Saving Mankind
“The Disappearing Male”, a documentary, will be screened February 25 from 7-8:30 at Wainwright House. In the last few decades, we have witnessed a steady and dramatic increase in the incidence of boys and young men suffering from reproductive organ deformities and cancers. Doctors and researchers now suspect hormone-mimicking or endocrine-disrupting chemicals may be damaging the most basic building blocks of human development.

A $5 donation is suggested. Organic refreshments will be served.

 

Parenthood, Still the Most Important Job  
Take part in The Biggest Job Workshops at Wainwright House February 26 from 10-12 or 7-9. A compilation of the family program at The Hyde Schools, these workshops are designed to assist those who are committed to the pursuit of personal and family excellence, as well as exceptional parenting.

 A $10 donation is suggested.

 
Securing Your Future
Gayle S. Lob and Adam B. Rude of the Lob Planning Group will lead information sessions on Social Security at the Rye library February 26. Learn about the “million dollar asset you may be ignoring” at either the lunchtime brown bag workshop from 12-1:30 or from 6 -7:30. 

The speakers will present strategies to maximize Social Security and demonstrate how to coordinate benefits with other sources of retirement income. RSVP to Susan Romano at 428-6440 or email susan.romano@ lobplanning.com.

 

Alternative Therapy
Dr. Neil Raff will discuss alternative cancer treatments, stem cell techniques, and other advanced therapies at a talk at the Rye library February 26 at 7:30. The talk is hosted by Holistic Moms of Westchester.

 

Weathering the Elements
Dr. Alexis Berg of the International Research Institute for Climate and Society at Columbia University will discuss “How Does Land Surface Affect Climate?” at the Rye Meeting House February 28 at 3. He will give an overview of how the land surface actively interacts with and has an impact on climatic conditions. He will also discuss how man-made changes to the land surface can contribute to climate change in unexpected ways.

The final installment of the Bird Homestead nonprofit’s lecture series, “After the Storm: Toward a More Resilient Shoreline”, is funded, in part, by a grant from the John E. Streb Fund for New York of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Admission is free, but donations will be gratefully accepted. For more information, email birdhomestead.meetinghouse@gmail.com.

 

Winter’s Tales
The Rye Storytellers’ Guild meets next March 3 at 6 at the Rye Free Reading Room. To celebrate the month of March, “in like a lion, out like a lamb” stories will be featured. Listeners, as well as tellers, are always welcome.

 

Spirited Discussions
Explore consciousness and spirituality expressed by a variety of authors at a book club on the first Wednesday of each month at Wainwright House. The first meeting is March 4 from 7-9.

For information about the books, email darbyndoug@optonline.net. The fee is $5 for members.

 

Pain-Free at Last
Dr. John Thomas Giudice of Larchmont Wellness will discuss “Inflammation and Pain Reduction” at a workshop at the Rye library March 5 at 10.  Some may be surprised to discover that 100 million Americans suffer from chronic pain, more than diabetes, heart disease, and cancer combined. Learn how an anti-inflammatory diet and manual and laser therapies can help alleviate pain without causing side effects.

 

Going Electronic  
Rye library staff will show you how to use the Overdrive catalog and download library e-books to your Kindle March 5 from 10-11. Later the same day, from 4:30-5:25, at one-on-one open sessions, participants can learn how to download e-books onto their tablets or phones.

Bring fully charged devices and e-book passwords, so a librarian can walk you through the process. Assistance is available on a first-come basis.

Children’s Corner

Swishin’ and Swayin’
On February 24, the Rye Free Reading Room will host Graham Clarke once again for an afternoon of movin’ and groovin’ from 1-1:45. Kids will enjoy the popular children’s entertainer and his guitar friends.

 

Watch Out Kids!
Join Rye Recreation staff for an awesome night of dodge ball at the Osborn School gym February 27 at 6-7:30 for grades 5 and 6, and 7:30-9 for grades 7 and 8. Learn and play several variations, including team dodge ball, Dr. Dodge Ball, Rescue Ball, and Bombardment.

Fee is $20. Pre-registration required. Go to www.ryeny.gov/ recreation.cfm.

 

Rye Goes Emerald Green
The Square House will be filled with the sounds of toe-tapping Irish music when members of the O’Rourke Irish Dancers perform February 28 at 1. Children will be entertained with music, dance, and a little history too.
Refreshments available. Fee is $15 per child.

This special program is presented in conjunction with the Rye Historical Society’s new exhibition, “Immigration In Rye”. The O’Rourke Irish Dance Foundation provides arts and cultural education, as well as scholarships and grants to dance students.

 

Gizmos and Gadgets Galore
Future scientists and engineers are invited to the Rye Free Reading Room once a month to see how much fun science, technology, engineering and math can be. Each one-hour session focuses on a different S.T.E.M. activity. This month, Gizmos Science Fun Club, for children in grades K-2, will be held March 6 from 3:30-4:30. Gadgets Science Fun Club for grades 3-5 will be held March 20 from 3:30-4:30.
Space is limited. Visit www.ryelibrary.org to sign up starting February 27. For more information, call 231-3162.

Family Ties

Sweet Beginnings
Start the weekend with a pancake breakfast at the Rye Nature Center, February 28 at 9:30, and learn to tap trees for their sweet sap. Participants will get a bird’s eye view of the sugaring process in the center’s sugaring shed.
Pre-registration is required, as space is limited. The fee is $10 for members, $15 non-members.

 

Cat in the Hat at the Y
The Rye YMCA’s next first Family Friday is set for March 6 from 6:30-7:30. The themed crafts, activities, snacks, and fun will all be about Dr. Seuss. Free for Family members, $10 for Youth and non-members. Space is limited,
so register early by emailing  hillarysouthard@  ryeymca.org.

 

Save the Date

Royal Invitation
The Rye Historical Society is hosting its annual history luncheon at American Yacht Club March 5 at 12. This year’s luncheon features a fascinating presentation by Allison Pataki, whose new novel, “The Accidental Empress”, tells the little-known life story of Habsburg Empress Elisabeth. The author also wrote “The Traitor’s Wife”, a New York Times bestselling and critically acclaimed novel.

A graduate of Yale University, Pataki spent several years writing for TV and online news outlets before pursuing an interest in writing historical fiction.  Her meticulously researched books shed light on the lives of women who have been overlooked in traditional history books.

Luncheon tickets are $65 for members, $70 for non-members. Proceeds benefit the educational and programming activities of the Rye Historical Society.  A table for eight is $500. Reservations can be made by calling 967-7588 or visiting www.ryehistory.org.