Compiled by Janice Llanes Fabry
This Weekend
Sculptural Inspiration
The Rye Arts Center invites ages 8-12 to create sculpture using cardboard and paint on Saturday from 10-12. In conjunction with the Whitney Museum’s retrospective of American artist Frank Stella, teaching artist Nicole Zahour will explore images of his large sculptural paintings with the kids.
The fee is $15 and all supplies are included.
This Is Your Life
Carol Costa will lead a memoir-writing workshop at the Rye Free Reading Room on Saturday from 11-12:30. Participants should bring a notebook and writing implement.
Chill Out at the Nature Center
All are invited to the Rye Nature Center on Saturday from 12-3 for an old-fashioned winter’s afternoon. Visitors will enjoy a log-sawing contest, fire- roasted marshmallows, archery, and crafts. Admission is free.
Homage to Picasso
The Rye Arts Center is offering an animal sculpture workshop for ages 8-12 on Saturday from 12:30-2:30. Inspired by MoMA’s Picasso sculpture exhibit and his animal assemblages, teaching artist Nicole Zahour will show students how to create their own from found objects.
Kids may bring objects from home, including plastic bottles, corks, cans, caps, etc. All other supplies are included in the $15 fee.
A Sandwich with a Side of Spooky
On Saturday from 1-2:45, kids can bring a bagged lunch to the Rye library and watch “Goosebumps 2015.” The adventure comedy, rated PG, tells the story of a teenager who teams up with the daughter of the famous bestselling “Goosebumps” series author R.L. Stine, played by Jack Black. When monsters from his tales are unleashed, the fun begins.
Drinks and snacks will be provided.
New Moon Rising
On Sunday from 7-8:30 head to the Wainwright House for New Moon Gatherings. A prize winning speaker and Wainwright’s resident astrologer, Pamela Cucinell will weave together mythological stories, color, sound, guided meditation, and creativity during the lunar ceremony.
Cucinell is a member of the National Council of Geocosmic Research, the International Society of Astrological Research, and a seventh generation Reiki Master. The cost is $20 for members, $25 non-members.
Arts & Entertainment
The Luckiest People in the World
Join the Rye library for a showing of “Funny Girl” February 8 from 12-2. The Barbara Streisand and Omar Sharif 1968 classic is the story of Fanny Brice’s rise to stardom on the New York vaudeville stage.
The film’s iconic songs include “Don’t Rain on My Parade” and “People.”
No Texting Please
All of the entries from the Rye YMCA’s annual “Distracted Driving” poster exhibit of posters will be on display at the Rye library February 16-29. Rye High School teens once again produced powerful messages on the dangers of texting while driving.
After the Big Blizzard
The Rye Arts Center’s new exhibit, “Winter White The Absence of Color,” complements winter’s palette with warmth and beauty. Curated by Katharine Dufault, the exhibit, which runs through March 5, features the work of more than a dozen contemporary artists whose use of white defines and unifies their work. A variety of media will be on display, from paint, print and photography to glass, encaustic, and fiber.
Talks, Workshops, and Just for Fun
Yoga + Pregnancy = Harmony
Wainwright House is holding a Prenatal Yoga Teacher Certification February 5-7 from 9-6. This is the first part of a three-part weekend series, for a total of 75 hours. Accomplished instructor Sue Elkind, founder of Dig Yoga, will demonstrate how to weave the teachings of yoga seamlessly into prenatal care.
The weekend fee for members is $500, $550 for non-members. For further information, visit wainwright.org or call 967-6080.
Happy Soil, Happy Life
Wainwright presents “What’s Under Your Lawn” February 10 from 10-11. The City of Rye Sustainability Committee and Friends of Rye Nature Center will cover the secret to healthy soil. Hear about the latest science behind it, and discover practical ways of maintaining it without the use of synthetic chemicals.
The program is free and open to the public, but reservations are requested. Email Lori Fontanes at lfontanes@optimum.net.
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In the Moment
All age groups can learn meditation and mindfulness techniques at a series of workshops at Wainwright February 10, 17, and 24 from 5:30-6:45 with Sangeeta Bansal, Ph.D. A student in the Jon Kabat-Zinn lineage, Bansal has taught mindfulness courses at Hong Kong University, Princeton University, several New York educational institutions, and Omega Institute.
The fee is $30 per session for members, $33 non-members. Visit wainwright.org for more information and to register. Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions, but may attend only one.
You’ve Got Mail
Attend a class at the Rye library to become familiar with the new and updated email programs for Windows on February 11 from 10-12 now that Microsoft’s Hotmail has been changed to Outlook. Learn to use the new features and become aware of all the security issues.
Designing Woman
Join SPRYE at Wainwright House on February 17 from 3-4:30 to hear how Rye resident Karen Galland went from social worker to entrepreneur. She will reveal the mystery of how she manufactures clothing in China from the comfort of her own home.
Surfing the Net
Improve Internet browsing skills with an informational computer session at the Rye library February 18 from 10-12. New features in Microsoft’s Internet Explorer and Google’s Chrome will be covered. Learn to set new home pages and bookmarks, clear data, and address security issues.
For a Good Cause
Hearts and Feathers
Come together on February 16 to the Rye YMCA to create cozy heart pillows from 10:30-12. They will be donated to recovering open-heart surgery patients at White Plains Hospital. For more information, email pennycozza@ ryeymca.org or call 967-6363.
Family Ties
Nerf Night
The Rye YMCA’s next family night, February 12 from 6:30-7:30, is all about Nerfs. The Y will provide the space, obstacles, coordination, and supervision, and participants will bring their own Nerf gear, including blasters and darts.
Space is limited. Register at ryeymca.org. Free for family members, $10 for youth and non-members.
Pass the Syrup
Learn how maple trees produce sap at the Rye Nature Center on February 13 and 20 at 1. Participants will get a peek at the sugaring process. Suggested for ages 4 and up. Free for members, $5 per person for non-members.
Tweens and Teens
Calling All Gamers
The Rye library is holding a GameMaker Studio workshop February 11 from 6:30-7:45. Teens can learn to create high quality video games, including cross-platform games, using “drag and drop” computer programming skills. Both novices and seasoned game developers are welcome.
Space is limited. Pre-registration is required at ryelibrary.org.
Sticky Fingers
Ages 11-13 can learn to make tote bags out of duct tape at the Rye Arts Center February 13 from 10-11:30. The kids will also use the tape as a canvas for their art. The fee is $20.
Shape Up!
The Rye YMCA is offering a fitness clinic for teens (ages 14 and up) February 15-19 from 9:30-1:30. Fun and fitness will include agility, cardio, strength conditioning, games, and instructional swim. After completion, participants will be eligible for a teen passport card for access to the Wellness Center.
Three-day and five-day clinic options are available. For details on registration and fees, visit ryeymca.org or call 967-6363.
Children’s Corner
Don’t Let the Vampires Bite
Bring a bagged lunch and enjoy a movie at the Rye library on February 13 from 1-2:30. “Hotel Transylvania 2” (PG) will have kids on the edge of their seats as Dracula and his buddies try to bring out the monster in his half-human, half-vampire grandson.
Drinks and snacks will be supplied.
Be My Valentine
Ages 8-12 can design and model their very own three-dimensional heart-shaped project on February 13 at the Rye Arts Center from 2:45-4. Their creations will be ready just in time for Valentine’s Day. Fee is $10.
Saturday Night Special
The Rye YMCA saves the second Saturday of each month for middle schoolers. On February 13 from 7-10, the Teen staff is rolling out the Red Carpet. Activities will feature a “Zoolander” fashion show, a fake money fight, and a photo booth.
It promises to be an evening of great fun with food, camaraderie, activities, competitions, and games. Free for family/youth members, $5 for non-members.
Winter Break
From February 15-19, the Rye YMCA is holding half-day and full-day school vacation camps for all ages. A Basketball Club is available for ages 5-11, and a Gymnastics Club is available for ages 5 and up. A Fun Club for grades K-6 includes sports, games, swimming, arts and crafts, nature, science, and field trips.
For fee information and more details, visit ryeymca.org or call 967-6363.
Don’t Lose S.T.E.A.M.
They won’t be in school, but from February 15-19, kids can spark their creativity with two-hour weeklong classes at the Rye Arts Center. Electronics, computer programming, and filmmaking workshops are available for ages 8-12. Minecraft and Lego graphic design classes are available for ages 7-9.
The fee is $195 with a discount for members. For more program details and times, visit ryeartscenter.org or call 967-0700.
Snow Day!
Grades 6-8 can join the Rye YMCA on February 16 for a trip to Powder Ridge Mountain Park in Middlefield, Conn. Meet at the Y at 9 and return by 4:30. Everyone will have the opportunity to go snow tubing at the park’s multiple runs.
Fee includes transportation, mountain entry, tube, and helmet. The cost for family/youth members is $65, $90 non-members.
For more information, visit ryeymca.org.
Tee Time
Grades K- 5 will have a ball at Rye Recreation’s Golf Camp from February 16-18 from 9:30-12:30. Tee It Up with TGA will be held at the Osborn Gym. The fee is $200 for residents, $225 non-residents. For more information, visit ryeny.gov/recreation.cfm or call 967-2535.
School’s Out
Rye Recreation is offering school vacation activities for grades K–4. On February 17 from 9:30-12:30, Junior Rocket Academy will introduce kids to the dynamic of rocket flight and help them build their own model rockets. On February 18, Shock It To Me will teach kids about conductors, insulators, and circuit electricity from 9:30-12:30.
The fee for each session is $55 for residents, $65 non-residents. For more information, visit ryeny.gov/recreation.cfm or call 967-2535.
Tech R Us
Kids can dive into the 21st-century technology-fueled world while school is out by learning the basics of computer programming at Rye Free Reading Room workshops. Grades 2 and 3 may attend on February 16 and 17; grades 4 and 5 on February 18 and 19. The one-hour sessions run from 2-3.
Space is limited. Sign up at ryelibrary.org one week in advance.
Little Revelers
During winter break, kindergarteners on up can enjoy a week of afternoon Mardi Gras crafts workshops at the Rye Free Reading Room from February 16-19 from 2-3. They will learn to create masks, design costumes, and decorate cupcakes. The activities will culminate with a parade the last day as the kids show off their creations.
Space is limited. Register at ryelibrary.org one week in advance.
Readers Rock
The Rye Free Reading Room’s book clubs explore narrative and expository texts through picture books. On February 27, grades 1 and 2 will discuss “Little Melba and her Big Trombone” by Katheryn Russell-Brown from 3-4. Grades 3 and 4 will discuss “A Taste of Colored Water” by Matt Faulkner from 4-5.
Pre-registration is required at ryelibrary.org. Copies of the books are available in the Children’s Room.
Adventurous Young Girl Named Abilene
The Rye library’s I-Read-A-Latte tween book group for grades 5 and 6 is reading “Moon Over Manifest” by Clare Vanderpool. The book was awarded the 2011 Newbery Medal for excellence in children’s literature. Students will meet on February 20 to discuss the powerful historical novel. Register at ryelibrary.org.