Every Parent's Worst Nightmare

All of us in first year CreComm read the book Journey for Justice by Winnipeg Free Press crime reporter Mike McIntyre. The book covers the kidnapping and murder of Candace Derksen. As a parent I found the book hard to read at times. This is without a doubt every parents worst nightmare, and I think it would be hard for many couples to deal with something like this and still keep their love strong and family together. What I got out of the book above all else is a respect for Cliff and Wilma Derksen for the way they dealt with something so horrific.

The book is split into three parts and part one is by far the most readable. It covers the period when Candace went missing and what her family went through before the discovery of her body. What was the most interesting to me about this was how people can deal with not knowing. If a loved one went missing the mind would never turn off. Every doorbell of phone call would be a glimmer of hope followed by disappointment when it wasn't the news that you want to hear. This could lead many people to extreme anxiety or depression.

The book works so well in part one because it reads like a story and really makes the reader feel for what this family is dealing with. It also creates emotion by showing how the Winnipeg Police dealt with the family and some of the accusations that were made towards them. Losing a loved one would be hard enough and would only be made worse if the person who lost their loved one was being accused of wrong doing. The whole scenario is simply unthinkable.

Cliff and Wilma Derksen

The other thing that came through clear in the book was the role that faith played in helping the Derksens heal. I am not a religious person but the book gave me true sense of how faith in God helped the Derksens through this tragedy. I also got a sense of how faith helped them to forgive Mark Grant, the man who caused them years of pain and suffering.

Mark Grant

The book did seem harder to read in the parts two and three, as it got into more of the logistics of the Mark Grant trail and verdict, and also seemed to use long passages of quotes that sometimes seemed unnecessary. This changed the tone of the book. It seemed like a novel in part one but by the end it almost felt like I was reading a text book at times.

As an aspiring journalists the book taught me that quotes are great if they progress a story but should never feel like they are there just there for the sake of it. With that being said, I think the book was very well written and I believe that a book like this would be difficult to write, considering that many people involved would probably be reluctant to talk.

Journey for Justice works because it comes from an author who is friends with the parents of the victim. This gives the book some heart which is something that many crime books lack. An example of this is a book I read called The Killer Book of Cold Cases. This book goes purely for the sensationalist and gory details of crime stories and even features a cover with skulls and police tape. It works for what it is trying to accomplish but is a completely different kind of book than Journey for Justice.

Journey for Justice is also different from McIntyre's stories in the Winnipeg Free Press because a book can show so much more of the emotional side of stories. When he spoke to us he said that when he writes articles he is forced to leave lots of information out of stories because his word limit won't allow for much more than the basic information of a story.

The most powerful part of all of this for me was hearing Wilma Derksen speak to us. She is a picture of strength and poise. She talked fondly about the memories of her daughter and also spoke about her respect for Mike McIntyre and the work that he has done She said about his book "When I read it I was amazed. What a wonderful summary of something that took twenty-six years to live."

For Mike McIntyre I'm sure there can be no greater endorsement of his work. 

 

Check out Winnipeg White Out

I want to use my blog post this week to promote a great Jets website that is getting a lot of attention from hockey fans. The site is called winnipegwhiteout.com, named obviously after the great Winnipeg tradition of whiting out the Arena during the playoffs. A tradition that I hope will be re-ignited this spring.

Winnipeg WhiteOut is very nicely laid out and easy to navigate. Two of the writers are my buddies Tyler Esquivel and Joey Traa both which i know from from the Creative Communications program at Red River College. Tyler has had two of his articles linked to thescore.com, which would obviously increase the hits for his articles.

It was also genius for the creators of the site to call it Winnipeg Whiteout. The Whiteout is a long standing playoff tradition in Winnipeg and they have maximised their hits by calling the site something that people will often search, even if they aren't looking for their specific site.


Check out winnipegwhiteout.com hockey fans. You won't be disappointed.

The Hull "Snubb"

The True North group that runs the Winnipeg Jets has consistently said that they want to focus on the team on the ice and not spend too much time focusing on the history of the old Winnipeg Jets. I can understand this, as this is not the old Jets, it is the franchise that called Atlanta home for the  last decade.

With that being said, I think the True North group really dropped the ball when they did not make every effort to try to get Bobby Hull to a game last week when he was in town. When Hull was asked at a book signing if he had been to a Jets game yet, he said that he had not been invited and did not sound very happy about it. The first thought of many Winnipeggers was- why would True North not invite Bobby Hull to a game?  I think the PR implications of this are going to turn out bad for the Jets.

Bobby Hull is arguably the biggest hockey icon in the history of Winnipeg. Only Hawerchuk and Selanne are revered in this town as much as Hull. Having Hull at a game would have been a win-win for the Jets. It would have brought even more excitement into a building that is already the loudest building in the league. We all remember what happened when Selanne was in town a while back. Plus it would have pleased thousands of Jets fans who are already so supportive of the True North group. It just would have been another feather in the cap of the True North group as it would have had the whole town buzzing if Hull was at a game.

Part of the excitement about the new Jets is due to the nostalgia that this city has for the old Jets. I have been reading the comment boards and the majority of comments about this issue are on Hull's side and speaking negatively about True North on this issue.

True North has every right to run their team the way that they want to, but having a Winnipeg legend like Hull claim that he was snubbed by the team is bad for the PR of this organization. The True North group should be looking at the present and the future but they should not make it seem like they are ignoring the past.

Jets in third just looks so good

Lets keep it short and sweet this week. The Jets are now third in the East after a big win over the Tampa Bay Lightning last night and it just look so damn good!!

Drug and Alcohol Problems are no joke

Whitney Houston's sudden and tragic death got me wondering why is it when a famous artist dies from a drug or alcohol problem, people rush to talk about what a wonderful and talented person this was, but when they are still alive and dealing with their problems they are ridiculed. Millions of people around the world deal with alcohol and drug problems and these are illnesses that kill people and destroy families.

Whitney Houston, Amy Winehouse, and Michael Jackson were all the butt of jokes on late night talk shows like SNL and Conan before their death These are easy jokes that get easy laughs and I've been guilty of laughing at them. Mya Rudolf's impression of a drugged up Whitney Houston became a fan favorite on SNL and the more she acted completely out of it, the more laughs she got. Well now Houston is dead and I assume that the character will be retired. It's not funny now that she has passed away but it never should have been funny in the first place.

I think that as a society we have accepted that if a famous person has problems then we can make fun of them and laugh at their problems.

I think we forget that drug and alcohol problems and mental illnesses are diseases. We would never make fun of a person dying of cancer but we ridicule people dying of addictions. I never met my Grandfather on my mom's side because he drank himself to death and I never met my wife's dad for the same reason. I highly doubt that anyone reading this would find that funny.

Jake’s Tickets gives back

Darren Ford started JetsOwner.com back in 2003, as a simple blog where people could go to have the conversation about trying to get the NHL back into Winnipeg. Ford never imagined the site would go on to become so popular, but he also never imagined how much criticism he would face.

“A lot of people thought I was a nut job.” said Ford, "I couldn't understand why some people were so critical-I still don't. It wasn't a controversial issue. It's just a game. It brings out passion in people on all sides of the spectrum. I took a good beating, that's for sure.” Darren was even mocked by the Winnipeg Sun when he wrote a letter to the editor claiming why Winnipeg deserved a team and the editor replied, "Don't hold your breath Darren."

One of the criticisms that Ford heard was that if the NHL returned, then kids would not be able to go to games. So when the NHL did return in 2011, he decided that he would take this idea that kids would not be able to attend games and do something about it. What Ford did was start Jake's Tickets, his own foundation that supports the Winnipeg Aboriginal Sport Achievement Centre (WASAC) by “donating tickets to get kids to attend NHL hockey games that would not normally be able to do so.”

Ford thought if he was going to silence his critics he could at least do it in a way that could benefit kids. “That was the main reason I brainstormed the idea in the first place. I thought-wouldn't it be cool to silence the critics in a positive way.”

Ford is proud that he has been able to team up with WASAC and loves the work that they do. “They already run these fantastic hockey camps with kids from three different school divisions in the city, whereby the kids get used hockey equipment, a ride to the rink, lunch and hockey skills camp once a week. Now through Jake's Ticket's some of the kids are selected to attend Jets games with a parent or guardian.”

The reaction that Ford has got from some of the kids has been far beyond what he expected. “It has been overwhelming. “I have dozens of pieces of artwork, cards and letters from the kids.”

After the Jets returned Ford decided to end the run of the JetsOwner blog but is still hard at work blogging about his beloved Jets as the moderator of the Winnipeg Free Press' Jets blog The JetStream.

Fiance of Missing Woman Continues to Search for Closure

On Wedneday, I did an interview for a magazine article that was the most emotional thing I have done since joining CreComm.

Matt Bushby is the fiance of Claudette Osborne-Tyo, a woman who went missing in 2008 and has never been found. When Shelley Cook, the founder of Missing Manitoba Women blog gave me his contact info, I was terrified at the thought of interviewing someone whose gone through what he has and trying to ask questions that still got me the answers I needed, while being sensitive to what he and his family has been through

My fingers trembled as I dialed his phone number. I had a list of interview questions prepared, but the list never was used. As soon as I started talking with Matt I knew that asking questions off of a piece of paper wasn't the way to do this. Instead we just had a conversation. Matt is soft spoken, articulate and an obviously intelligent man. I could hear the emotion in his voice as he told me that with every year his hope is fading that Claudette would return.

Matt does not feel like the media and the police have always been fair with him, but he never raised his voice or made accustions. He knows that Claudette will likely not show up suddenly, but at this point he just wants closure, for himself and for Claudette's kids.

I can't thank Shelley Cook enough for helping me with my article and I strongly suggest that people check out the Missing Manitoba Women blog, which tells the stories of Manitoba's missing women that mainstream media often doesn't tell

www.missingmanitobawomen.blogspot.com

Claudette was a mother and a fiance, and I pray for Matt's sake that one day he gets the answers that he's been searching for since 2008.

Tim Thomas chooses a "Tea Party" over a trip to the White House

Last night on "Behind the Bench" we talked about a big controversy going on in the NHL right now and I spoke some very strong opinions on it. The following opinions are mine and I'm not saying I'm right but that this is just what I think.

Every year the winners of the Stanley Cup are invited to go to the White House and meet the president. Last week the Boston Bruins made their trip to the White House but one member of the team was very noticeably absent.

Tim Thomas, a far right conservative, refused to join his team, saying that his choose was not political but because Government has gotten too large and threatened Americans freedoms and liberties as individuals.

On this I call BS on more than one front. For one thing that desicion was purely political. Tim Thomas is a far right conservative who associates himself with the American Tea Party Movement, so it is absolute rubbish to say that this isn't a political desicion.

For a second thing, he may not agree with Obama's politics and has every right not to, but he does make millions playing hockey, walk down the street in relative safety and he's not persecuted for his political beliefs, so he and every other Tea Partiers out there needs to stop saying that Obama is stealing Americans liberties and freedoms. And if they do want to keep saying this, they need to back it up with facts which they usually can't do.

I believe the problem with the far right conservative movement in the United States is its complete refusal to compromise with anything that does not fit with their hard line way of thinking. Tim Thomas is another shining example of this when he outright refused to show up at the White House. Heaven forbid a Tea Party Conservative be in the same room as Obama. Heck they may as well just join the Communist Party. (Note Sarcasm)

Tim has every right to believe what he wants but I believe that not showing up at the White House was an insult to his teamates, The Boston Bruins and the NHL.

People's Generosity Further Fuels My Passion for Journalism

I have had to endure more stress and sacrifice in the last five months than I ever have before. That is just what happens when you are a CreComm Student. I have had days and weeks that I thought I would never get through and I am man enough to admit that I have even shed a few tears. The stress of this program has meant that my wife has had to make sacrifices too and I am so thankful for her
support.

With all that being said there are moments in CreComm when I have had to stop and remember how lucky I am to be in this program. Last night was one of those moments. I've been hosting a sports show every Thursday along with my great friends Tyler and Jenna and it has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. I still get a thrill and a bit nervous every time I walk into the studio. I take pride in the show and love what we are doing with it.

Last night we had Darren Ford as a guest and he may not be a household name to all Winnipegers but he is definitely one to Jets fans and someone I knew of for years. His blog started as a humble forum to get the conversation going about getting the NHL back in Winnipeg, and became so successful that he now runs the Winnipeg Free Press fan forum. He has also become close friends with many of the people involved with the Jets, including Mark Chipman.

He was also featured prominently in the Winnipeg Jets documentary "Fuelled by Passion" which aired nationally on CBC and does interviews regularly on TSN 1290. I sent Darren a simple Tweet inquiring if he'd consider coming on the show and thought I would get ignored. Next thing I knew he sent me a message saying he'd do the next show and he was fantastic through the whole interview.

What amazes me most about being a CreComm student is how gracious people have been to me when I ask for an interview. Back In November Tyler called the Blue Bombers to ask if we could have a Bomber on the show and I laughed it off. Next thing I knew the Bombers called us an hour before a show to tell us that star running back Chris Garrett was going to join us. The Garrett interview was amazing and he never treated us any less than the big wigs at TSN or CJOB.

In December I attended a state of the province address and walked right up to Bomber coach Paul LaPolice. There was media from every major outlet in the city there, but he was more than willing to talk to me and give me just as much of his time as he did for anyone else.

I started CreComm thinking that nobody important would want to talk to me because I am not a journalist but merely a "student journalist." Nothing could be farther from the truth. Had anyone told me in September that I would have talked to Chris Garrett, Paul Lapolice, Brian Dobie and Darren Ford this year I would have laughed but now I have.

I am so thankful for the time people have given me and how gracious everyone has been. It is always a thrill when I interview new people for reports or for my show. I have always dreamed of being a journalist and my experiences in CreComm and with the great people I have met has only made me want a career in journalism even more.

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Short Blog Posts: A good idea when hopped up on T3's!!

It's time for a short and sweet blog post this week. I had a tooth pulled this weekend, and I'm in some pain and hopped up on Tylenol 3s, so a long blog post could be a grammatical disaster.

So here's a really cool video I found about the history of the Winnipeg Jets. Enjoy

Jets Road Woes Continue

The Winnipeg Jets had the best month in franchise history in December going 10-3-1 and getting themselves as high as 6th in the Eastern Conference. Many fans believe that this team is being helped by the MTS Centre crowd, which has now been regarded by almost all sports media as the loudest building in the league.

The problem with the Jets push to make the playoffs is that they are one of the leagues best home teams but one of the worst road teams. Simply winning games at MTS Centre will not get this team into the playoffs. They need to start proving that they are a legitimate contender in the East and the only way to do that is to start winning road games.

After the New Years win against the Maple Leafs, The Jets were blown out 7-3 in Montreal and then were shut out 4-0 last night by the Maple Leafs in Toronto. There is no reason to start hitting the panic button just yet, but if they lose a few more road games there soon could be. One also must remember that Dustin Byfuglien is out with an injury and Pavelec did have an off game against Montreal.

The Jets are in Buffalo to take on the Sabres on Saturday night. The Sabres currently sit three points behind the Jets in the East.  This is a must win for the Jets as they don't want to continue their slide in a very tight East Division.

2011-The year of the Jets

I don't think I'm too off base saying that, in Winnipeg, 2011 was the year of the Jets. Starting with the announcement back in May that the NHL was returning to the city, the frenzy and buzz in this city has been unlike anything I have ever seen.

Everything from the announcement, to the jersey unveiling, to the home opener and beyond has been an event. This morale of this city seems to be at an all time high and the return of the NHL is a big part of that. I stood in the mob at Portage and Main on the day of the announcement and there was such a feeling of camaraderie among total strangers as we all celebrated what we had been waiting 15 years for.

Every game at the MTS Centre also feels like an event.  Teemu Selanne's return was the most emotional sporting event I have ever attended and was something I will never forget.

Tonight I will ring in the new year at the MTS Centre with the Jets as they take on the Leafs. Being that this is a new years game and the first time the Leafs have visited Winnipeg in 15 years, The atmosphere tonight will once again be electric.

So happy New Years Winnipeg. It's been one hell of a year.

Premier Selinger addresses Winnipeg's business leaders.

I had the privilege of sitting at the press table yesterday for the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce annual State of the Province Address. It is an annual event where the Premier of Manitoba speaks to leaders of Winnipeg's business community.

It was a great experience to see so many well known Winnipegers all in one room. At the head table alone was Premier Greg Selinger, Winnipeg Blue Bomber president Jim Bell and Bomber head coach Paul Lapolice. I was lucky enough to get an interview with Paul Lapolice. As most of the media scrummed with Greg Selinger, I noticed Lapolice standing alone and I asked him his thoughts on the new stadium. 



"The stadium allows us to be in a situation where athletes want to live here all year long and free agents are going to want to stay," said Lapolice, "It will also help on the revenue front because were going to have the best facilities in the CFL."

Greg Selinger's speech seemed to be split into two parts- the good news and the bad news. He began by referring to Winnipeg's many ongoing and completed construction projects such as the new airport, The Museum for Human Rights, and the new stadium "We've accomplished alot together." said Selinger.

His speech also gave the cold reality that last years flooding will effect this year bottom line and raise the deficit. He called 2011 "The year of the flood" and said "The bill is coming in" He also said the deficit this year will be "significantly larger."

Selinger ended the speech on the positive saying that "I believe that there are many great things we can do together as we build the assets of this province."

 

Thank you to Duncan Mcmonagle and The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce for allowing me to take part in this great event.

Evander Kane becoming the next NHL superstar

At the start of the hockey season I asked on my radio show, Behind the Bench on 92.9 KICK-FM Thursdays at 5.(Shameless plug) if Evander Kane was ever going to bust out of his "prospect" category and become the superstar that was expected of him.

It seems like this finally  is starting to happen. Evander Kane has been a powerhouse out on the ice, specifically for the last month. Kane now has 21 points in 26 games and 14 of those are goals. Looking away from the stats, it is just starting to look like something is going to happen whenever he is on the ice. He is the type of player who can make things happen quickly and he creates scoring chances with his speed and skill.

At the start of the year fans were saying that this team lacked a superstar. Well me may  have one after all and at only 20 years old, this kid can only get better.