The Mighty Wind
T
he air we breathe is being polluted. Rather
than dwell on this "given" and get political,
let me just take a moment to reflect on the
air itself, more specifically the importance of wind
in our lives.
We can find references to wind and its sound, the
fun it may bring, the inspiration it
gives to creative minds and the
everyday references it provides.
Most often, we are reminded of
wind through weather forecasters.
They will periodically report wind
gusts — of special interest to
boaters, kite fliers and parasailers.
In winter, we here in the cold
SY
climes are reminded to dress more
MANELLO warmly to counteract the wind-
Editorial
chill. Wind energy is still consid-
ered by some as a desirable alterna-
Assistant
tive energy source, a non-polluting one.
If you've ever been present at some political talks,
you may have discovered the inspiration for the
term windbag, one who is "full of sound a fury, sig-
nifying nothing." You perhaps wished that he would
not get a second wind.
Do you like the sound of wind chimes? Apparently
many do, judging from the presence of so many of
differing tone. Many of us who are classical music
lovers enjoy the wind section of the symphony.
If you are looking for fun, try a windjammer
cruise. No, it does not mean climbing up and man-
ning the sails; it's still a luxurious way to travel. You
may wish to visit the Windy City (Chicago); there is
always lots to do there. Are you really adventuresome?
Then try wind surfing; I'm told it's great sport.
As far as being inspirational, the wind figures into
many movie, book and song titles. Who can forget
that epic saga Gone With the Wind? (It also marked
the first time that really BAD language was permit-
ted in a film.) The evolution theory was tested in
Inventor Unplugged
Robert Moog, creator of the electronic synthesizer that
changed modern music, died Aug. 21, 2005, in
Asheville, N.C. He was 71. His family said he had an
inoperable brain tumor,.
Mr. Moog (pronounced vogue) was a native of New
York and became interested in electronic music as a
child. He built a theremin musical instrument in 1949
at age 14, using plans he found in an electronics maga-
Robert Moog
zine. He attended the Bronx High School of Science and
earned undergraduate degrees in physics from Queens
College and electrical engineering from Columbia. His Ph.D. in physics was
from Cornell in 1965.
He created several companies to manufacture electronic controllers, modules
and keyboards that began influencing experimental composers and musicians in
the early 1960s.
He once described himself as "a toolmaker. I design things that other people
want to use."
He moved from western New York to Asheville in 1978, and started a new
company, Big Briar, that later bought back the Moog Music name.
Mr. Moog's private funeral was held Aug. 23 at Beth Israel Synagogue in
Asheville and he was buried in Lou Pollack Cemetery. A public memorial serv-
ice was held Aug. 25 in downtown Asheville.
— Alan Hitsky, associate editor
Looking For Tevye's Daughters
J14
9/ 1
2005
10
For its fall musical production of Fiddler on the Roof, the Jewish Academy of
Metropolitan Detroit (JAMD) is searching for young actors to try out for the
parts of Shprintze and Bielke, Tevye's youngest daughters, and some young vil-
lagers.
Auditions are for students in grades 6-8 and will be held from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 11, at JAMD, 6600 W. Maple Road in West Bloomfield. The
school is located on the west side of the Jewish Community Center, near the
InLine Hockey Center.
Students must be prepared to sing "Tradition" and learn a dance combina-
tion.
Rehearsals will be held from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Oct. 27, Nov. 3, 15, 29, Dec. 8,
13, Jan. 3, 5, 10 and 12. Dress rehearsals are from 4-6:30 p.m. Dec. 17, 18 and
19. The show opens Sunday, Jan. 22, with a 3 p.m. matinee and continues at 7
p.m. Monday, Jan. 23, through Thursday, Jan. 26, at Aaron DeRoy Theatre in
the lower level of the JCC.
For information, e-mail Mitch Master, JAMD's director of performing and
visual arts, at mmaster@jamd.org or call (248) 592-5263 ext. 254.
— Keri tauten Cohen, story development editor
the landmark film Inherit the Wind. The film A
Mighty Wind was quite funny: a good mocumen-
tary. Many of us recall the fun adventures set forth
in The Wind in the Willows. I personally like Frog,
since he and I drive similarly. Musically, we can
recall favorites by Earth, Wind and Fire or Bob
Dylan's hit "Blowin' in the Wind." Fans of
Broadway musicals may even still be able to hum a
favorite from Paint Your Wagon — "They Call the •
Wind Mariah." Who among us can forget that
Mary Poppins came and left when the wind
changed? Then there is that inspirational message of
"You Are the Wind Beneath My Wings."
Well, the next time you are tempted to spit
against the wind, don't; the consequences are regret-
table both literally and figuratively. I would not
want to be one to take the wind out of your sails
(put a halt to plans or a damper on proceedings),
but you should remember that it is "not the ill wind
that blows no man to good."
When really troubled by wind, try Beano. ❑
Cycling For
Wishes
The Wish-A-Mile 300 Bicycle Tour
was held July 29-31 to raise money
and awareness for the Make A Wish
Foundation of Michigan. For almost
two decades, hundreds of cyclists and
volunteers have taken to the roads of
Michigan to make a difference in the
lives of children with life-threatening
medical conditions.
The 300-plus-mile journey began in
Cheboygan and culminated with the
"Heroes' Hurrah" celebration at the
Milford Proving Grounds. The ride
has a deep and lasting impact on the
lives of all those involved, says Rick
Nessel, a Jewish News account execu-
tive.
"I have had the same 'Wish child,'
Aubrie Johnson, for the past three
years, and we keep in touch during
the year. Aubrie has always sent me
letters before, during and after the ride
as inspiration to get through those
Wish hero Rick Nessel with his Wish
300-plus miles. It was exciting to see
child, Aubrie Johnson of Wixom.
her, my family and supporters at the
finish line."
WAM participants raised $748,000 this year. Nessel personally raised
$10,000 from friends, family and co-workers. His team, "WAMmer Jammers,"
raised $50,000, with money still coming in.
To donate to Make A Wish Foundation of Michigan, call
(800) 622-9474.
Which Christian church official takes his title from a Hebrew word?
— Goldfein
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