Screenings: Hidden Figures and More
With Astronauts gracing the covers of LIFE and Look and other weekly magazines, the American space program was big news in the '60s. These brave test pilots were presented as the epitome of American maleness, and the only females we saw who were part of the space program were the women who quilted the multiple layers of fabric for each custom-fitted space suit! Fifty years later, Theodore Melfi’s perfectly named film Hidden Figures brings the unsung heroes of the space program out from the shadows—and we finally discover that several of the mathematical geniuses who made the program a success were female African Americans! In this retelling of the quintessential American fable, those dashing spacemen are little more than passengers aboard a heaving, clunking, fuel-spewing chunk of hardware. The real heroes are the genius “slide-rule-jockey’s-of-color” (beautifully portrayed by Viola Davis, Taraji P. Henson, Janelle Monae), who figured out how to loosen gravity’s inexorable hold on we frail human beings. It’s nice to have a film where the audience cheers for the underlying decency and determined humanity epitomized by the three women combating the solidly built wall of racism, sexism and chauvinism that were signatures for that time and place.
Wine Words: Cycle of the Vine
Winter is traditionally my favorite time in the wine business. While vines are dormant, it’s a time to reflect on the past growing season and fruits of our labors, while engaging in strategic planning necessary for a successful new year. The most rewarding work I do is to devise annual brand plans and marketing road maps that guide clients throughout the year. After all how can one gauge success without measuring preconceived goals?
Ex Libris 1-5-17
“Alan Turing: The Enigma,” by Andrew Hodges. Now subtitled “The Book that inspired the film The Imitation Game.” 736 pages, illustrated. Turing was credited with his invaluable help in solving codes to end World War II and creating the first computer. His biographer succeeds in giving us a detailed portrait of the enigmatic scientist, along with an account of his groundbreaking work. A good long read.
Clocking in 2017
Another year, with 12 months and 8,760 hours, has come and gone. Was it too fast, too slow or something in between?
Note to our readers: Change is good
For almost three decades, the Windsor Times has been showing up on your doorstep and in your mailbox. We know you look forward to holding it in your hands and reading the latest news about your community.
The weird, wild, wonderful world of holiday pageants
As I sat through my 7-year-old’s recent winter concert I found myself pondering the fact that when the holiday season rolls around, people seem to lose all grasp of reality, especially when there are kids and performances involved. Of all the strange memories one has of their childhood, I’d be willing to bet at least one of them involved some sort of Christmas performance. Maybe it was your school play, maybe it was your church’s nativity, maybe it was something else.
Arts & Entertainment
Yale Whiffenpoofs to land on Raven stage Sunday
The very name “Whiffenpoofs” is whimsical, but followers of the collegiate music space know that the repertoire and reputation of this Yale University a cappella group is anything but laughable. Sure there are old Yale drinking songs, certainly a bit of jazz-era energy, as well as more modern pop. But are they classical? And what exactly is a “whiffenpoof” anyway?
