Compiled by Janice Llanes Fabry
This Weekend
Merry and Bright
Kids will have the opportunity to make a special holiday card at the Rye Arts Center on Saturday from 12:30-1:30 (ages 7-9), and 1:45-2:45 (ages 10-12).
Attendees will incorporate an LED light into their own card design to let their creativity shine, literally. They will also learn the fundamentals of circuit design and electricity.
Holiday Hike
The Rye Nature Center’s new story trail will feature a holiday-themed story on Saturday for kids ages 3-6 at 9:30. Holiday tales and hot chocolate will warm everyone’s heart. The cost is $5 for person members, $8 for non-members.
Wintry Walk
Join the Friends of Read Wildlife Sanctuary for a stroll through its grounds Saturday at 1. Learn how plants, trees, and animals survive the freezing months. Dress warm. Refreshments will be provided.
Trendy Turn
On Saturday from 3-4:30, teens will have the opportunity to turn old T-shirts into new fashionable accessories at the Rye Free Reading Room. Fashion writer and teacher Maureen Amaturo will help attendees create something for themselves or for others as holiday gifts.
Merry Middle Schoolers
The Rye YMCA is open just to middle school students from 7-10 this Saturday and again on January 9 for an evening of fun, food, camaraderie, activities, competitions, and games. Kids will be supervised by the Teen Staff, which is led by the Camp, Family, and Teen Assistant Director.
Free for youth members, $5 for non-members. For more information, email cindy@ryeymca.org.
Most Glorious Night
Connect with nature at Wainwright House at their winter solstice celebration on Sunday from 5-7. The evening will consist of a fire ceremony and drumming with Susan Wright, teacher of Shamanic practices. A $10 donation is suggested.
Arts & Entertainment
I’ve Just Met a Girl Named Maria
The Rye library’s Musical Monday Movie series continues with “West Side Story” on January 11 from 12-2. Bring your lunch and munch while enjoying the Bernstein/Sondheim classic starring Natalie Wood and Richard Beymar. Light dessert will be provided.
Smooth Sounds of Jazz
Wainwright’s Winter Jazz Brunch series will have its debut January 17 from 11:30-2. The Victor La Gamma Trio will be performing and a delicious brunch buffet will be catered by Corner Stone.
La Gamma is a jazz pianist and a prolific composer. He will be joined by his son Dylan, a bassist/composer and Jon Doty, a drummer/composer.
Seats are $35 for members, $45 for non-members, $50 for walk-ins. Register at wainwright.org or call 967-6080.
On a Wing and a Prayer
“On the Wing,” an exhibit of 80 exquisite photographs of birds by Nadia Valla, is on view at the Meeting House on Saturday afternoons from 12-3. A member of the Little Garden Club of Rye, Valla captures her subjects from a kayak, where she can photograph wading birds and swimming ducks at eye level.
Unframed prints can be ordered for $75. Proceeds will go toward restoration of the stained-glass windows in the Meeting House, which is supported by the Bird Homestead nonprofit.
Free admission. Donations gratefully accepted.
Especially for Seniors
The works of SPRYE members and volunteers at the Osborn Rehabilitation Center will be on display through January 6. Visiting hours for the general public are 10-6. Call 925-8218 beforehand.
Talks, Workshops, and Just for Fun
Way Back When
The Rye Storytellers’ Guild will meet at the Rye Free Reading Room January 5 at 6 to share traditional and personal tales. The evening’s theme is “Stories from Our Family’s Heritage.” Listeners, as well as tellers, are always welcome. To learn more, contact Angela at Booksamc@aol.com.
Start the Year Off with a Good Book
The Rye Free Reading Room’s new book group selections are in. The Thursday Afternoon Group will read “The Narrow Road to the Deep North” by Richard Flanagan for its January 7 meeting at 1:15. The Friday Café will read “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee and will discuss the classic on January 8 at 9:30. The Current Events Group will meet January 26 at 6:30 to explore “The Age of Acquiescence: The Life and Death of American Resistance to Organized Wealth and Power” by Steve Fraser.
iKnowledge Goes a Long Way
Popular computer teacher Mike Negrelli will lead workshops on several Apple devices at the Rye library from 10-12 on January 7 and 14. The first session will address iPad and iPod setups and controls with the latest Apple iOS system 9.1 The latter will focus on the iPad 2 and cover the App Store, downloading, photos, iTunes, and readers.
It is helpful to bring a fully charged iPad or iPod, but not absolutely necessary as there will be demonstrations and handouts. For more information, call 231-3161 or visit ryelibrary.org.
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Landmarks
The public is invited to the Rye Historical Society’s Square House Museum on January 10 at 4 for an informative presentation on historical landmarks by Rye resident Paul Hicks. He will examine what it means to have a location, area, or structure designated as an historical landmark on the federal, state, or local level; and he will discuss the kinds of protections and restrictions the different designations entail, the process by which something gets designated, as well as the various reasons for seeking historic landmark designation.
To reserve a seat, call 967-7588 or visit ryehistory.org.
Crash Course
The Rye Youth Council will provide assistance to SPRYE members with all of their various electronic devices. Perfect your skills at Rye High School on January 12 from 3-4. No fee.
New Year’s Purge
Learn to de-clutter your home and keep it organized at the Rye Free Reading Room on January 14 at 10. Redina Hembree, owner of Redina Home Staging and Redesign, will share fun tips and creative solutions on dealing with one’s space, large or small.
Hidden Treasures
Curious about the value of antiques in your home? Join SPRYE at Wainwright House on January 20 from 3-4:30 for a consultation with Rye antiques dealer Bill Ketchum. He will appraise American and English objects — ceramics, furniture, silver, pewter, and folk art at no cost. Each guest can bring up to two items.
New Year’s Resolution for the Whole Year
The Rye library will address “The Real Solution to Weight Loss” January 21 at 11. Dr. Kurt Waples, DC, will discuss his program and how it accurately assesses body composition by looking at hormone function and cellular health. Among the factors he considers are the body’s inability to handle fat-soluble toxins and thyroid malfunction.
For the Children
The Holistic Moms will present a talk on “Raising ‘Beyond the Spectrum’ Children” at the Rye Free Reading Room January 21 from 7:30-9. Speaker Shira Adler, CPLR, is a holistic healer and advocate for parents looking for more than cookie-cutter solutions to help their out-of-the-box children thrive.
Family Ties
Free Play at the Y
The Rye Y invites families to come in and play December 27-31. Enjoy a range of classes and activities, including: Soft Play, Family Fun Circuit in ExerZone, Holiday Crafts, LEGO Engineering Challenge, Family Zumba, Chess Club, Family Kickboxing, Art a la Cart, Family Swim, Teen Dodgeball & Basketball, Rollers Gymnastics, Teen Game Time, New Year’s Dance Party, Ping Pong & Foosball, Rookie & All Star Sports, and Fun with Play Doh.
Open to all. For a detailed schedule, visit ryeymca.org.
Fathers, Feathers, Fur, and Scales
Fathers and their kids, ages 3-6, can drop in the Rye Nature Center for a fun-filled animal adventure on January 2 at 9:15. The cost is $10 for family members, $15 for non-members.
Come Out and Play
Rye Recreation invites everyone to get a head start on a healthy and happy New Year with free activities for the whole family:
On December 28 and 30, enjoy a Family Skate and Gym at Rye Country Day School from 2:15-4:30. Bring your own skates and helmets.
A Mad Science Show is on deck at Rye Recreation December 29 at 1:30. Spin, Pop, and Boom will wow all!
On December 30, families can take part in a Dribble, Dish, and Swish basketball contest at Rye Country Day School at 3.
Who can resist ice cream, even in the middle of winter? Enjoy an Ice Cream Social at Rye Recreation December 29 at 2:15.
Happy New Year’s Day
Head to the Rye YMCA for First Family Friday January 1 from 6:30-7:30. Everyone will enjoy an evening of activities, crafts, snacks, and fun.
Balancé
Ballet des Amériques, under the direction of Carole Alexis, will present “Ballet Is Not Pink” at the Rye library on January 16 from 2:30-4:30.
The universal language of ballet offers a vision that is aesthetically, emotionally, and intellectually engaging, as well as socially relevant. Let go of the “pink” stereotype and allow the art form to shine. For more information, visit ryelibrary.org or call 231-3161
Teen Time
Fitness and Fun
The Rye YMCA is holding a clinic for ages 12-17 December 28-30 from 9:30-1:30. Teens will work on agility, cardio, strength, and conditioning through games and instructional swimming.
After completing the clinic, 14-to 15-year-old participants will be eligible for a Teen Passport Card to use the Wellness Center. The fee for family and youth members is $185, $240 for non-members.
World of Fashion
The Rye Free Reading Room invites teens to try fashion design drawing at a fashion illustration class from 4-5 on January 8. Instructor Yung Su of Parsons and the Fashion Institute of Technology will offer step-by-step guidance. Each participant will take home a fashion drawing all their own.
Space is limited and pre-registration is required at ryelibrary.org.
Getting Into College
College-bound students can get a free heads-up on the ACT at the Rye library on January 16 or January 30 from 10:30-1. Each presentation by Applerouth Tutoring Services will introduce the major testing strategies, broad concepts of each section, and ways to master and apply test prep.
All attendees will receive the abridged version of “Get Your ACT Together.” To register, visit applerouth.com.
Children’s Corner
Curling Up with a Good Book
At the Rye Free Reading Room’s Children’s Book Clubs, students in grades 1 and 2 will read “Gingerbread for Liberty!” by Mara Rockliff and will meet on December 26 from 3-4.
Grades 3 and 4 will read “Seven Spools of Thread” by Angela Shelf Medearis and will discuss the book on December 26 from 4-5.
At the “I Read a Latte” club, tweens in grades 5 and 6 will meet on January 16 at 3 for lively conversation about “Fuzzy Mud” by Louis Sachar.
Copies of the books are available in the Children’s Room. Pre-registration is required at ryelibrary.org. For more information, call 231-3162 or 3172.
Bugs and Beasts
Grades K-4 will explore the world of creepy, crawly creatures at the Damiano Recreation Center on December 28 from 9:30-12:30. Learn about habitats, anatomy, and life cycles, as well as the behavior of spiders, ants, bats, and owls.
The fee is $55 for residents, $65 for non-residents.
Vacation Clubs
The Rye YMCA is offering a number of activities from December 28-31. To register, visit ryeymca.org or email Hillary Southard at hillary@ryeymca.org for more information.
>Basketball Club offers instruction and games for ages 5-11 from 9-12 or 9-4. Children will be grouped according to age and ability. They will also swim on scheduled days. Full day campers should bring lunch and a snack.
>Gymnastics Club is chockfull of skills, drills, tumbling, open workouts, and swimming for ages 5 and up from 9-12 or 9-4. Full day campers, who will also participate in arts and crafts and group games, should bring lunch and a snack.
Grades K-6 can enjoy Fun Club from 9-4. Get ready for sports, games, swimming, arts and crafts, nature, science, special events, and field trips. Kids should bring lunch and a snack.
Brown Bag Movies
Kids are welcome to bring their own lunch to the Rye library and enjoy it while watching a movie. “Inside Out” is playing December 28 from 1-3; “Minions” will be shown December 29 from 1-2:35; and “Home” is the film December 31 from 1-2:35.
Winter Wonderland
Grades K-4 can create a special snowball that will never melt at Rye Rec’s science workshop December 29 from 9:30-12:30. Then the kids can warm up with hot cocoa before learning how chemical changes transform sugar crystals into cotton candy.
The cost is $55 for residents, $65 for non-residents.
Checkmate
The Rye library is holding a chess tournament for ages 6-14 and of all skill levels on January 9 with registration at 10:15 and play beginning at 10:30. Tom Levine, who has conducted the annual contest for many years, will again referee the round-robin play. Each player should expect to play four rounds. Book prizes will be awarded to the top three players.
Bring a chess set and snack. No pre-registration is necessary. For more information, visit ryelibrary.org or call the Children’s Room at 231-3162.
Calling All Young Tinkerers
Join the Rye Arts Center for a high-tech, high-touch Maker Day on January 9 at 2. Fun workshops and demonstrations for all ages will offer hands-on activities. Explore the center’s MakerSpace, equipped with 3D printers and scanners and discover the future of creativity.
Explore Galore
Ages 5 and up can put on their snow boots, gloves, and warm jackets to examine the local forest wildlife at Rye Nature Center on January 9 at 3:30. The kids will warm up with hot chocolate. The cost is $5 per child members, $8 for non-members.
Better Homes and Gardens
Ages 6 and up can create their own terrariums at the Rye Nature Center on January 22 at 4. Kids will learn all the tricks to grow plants in light bulbs, teacups, and fish bowls. They may bring their own containers or use one provided.
Pre-registration is required as materials are limited. The cost is $30 per terrarium.
