Terry Fox Drive: Update!

Thank you to all in Winnipeg, and all other parts of Canada, for supporting the idea to name the Perimeter Highway after the late Winnipeg-born philanthropist Terry Fox.  In particular, I would like to thank the owners of local blogs "Anybody want a Peanut" and "West End Dumplings" for their recent blog entries, which encourage me to continue.

Since Friday, I have been subject to media requests from different sources, and to be quite honest, I may be way over my head.  I'm just a simple blue-collar worker, who does not want or need any type of publicity, and I certainly would never want to create the impression that I am making a name for myself, off of Terry Fox's memory.  

I have decided to contact the Terry Fox Foundation, and the Canadian Cancer Society, and ask for their blessing, in regards to this campaign.  I hope and pray they give me the go-ahead to take the campaign to the next level, and hand the petition to City Hall.  This has surpassed my wildest expectations, and I believe it shows that the majority of Winnipeggers would overwhelmingly favor renaming a road, school, community centre, or even a park after the late Terry Fox.

If anyone reading this would like to do more for the Terry Fox Foundation, please click on this link to volunteer, participate, or donate your time, effort, and/or money for a worthwhile cause.  You can also make a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society, by clicking this link.  Terry Fox ran the Marathon of Hope, because he truly believed "cancer can be beaten."  Let's help make Terry's dream a reality, and support his cause. 

Petition the City of Winnipeg change the name of the Perimeter Highway to Terry Fox Drive.

If you happen to think like I do, you may be tired of the City of Winnipeg naming highways and streets after people on City Council or other bureaucrats. Let's name a highway after a Winnipeg-born hero, and the recipient of the Order of Canada: Terry Fox.  Fox was born in Winnipeg, and spend a significant portion of his childhood in the city, before moving to British Columbia when he was 8 years old.

Despite suffering from Cancer, and having a leg amputated as a result of the disease, Terry Fox had a dream to raise money for cancer research, by running a marathon across Canada. Few people believe his run would ever get off the ground, but he managed to win over the hearts and imagination of many Canadians during the spring, and summer of 1980. 

Sadly, on September 1, 1980, Fox was forced to abandon his run, after learning the cancer had spread to the rest of his body.  He ran 5,373 kilometers, while literally dying, and gave his life to help others know that cancer could be beaten. After his death in 1981, the annual Terry Fox Run was first first held in Canada, and has grown to involve millions of participants in over 60 countries and is now the world's largest one-day fundraiser for cancer research; over $500 million has been raised in his name.

Please sign my petition  and help give Terry fox the recognition he deserves in his city of birth.  Let's rename the Perimeter Highway to Terry Fox Drive.  You can sign the petition by visiting this link:

Rename the Perimeter Highway to Terry Fox Drive

Whatever happened to Remy Shand?

This week Canadians learned of the unfortunate passing of Neil Hope, the actor who played the character "Wheels" on the CBC hit series "Degrassi Junior High."  Hope was found dead in a Hamilton rooming house on November 25, 2007, although his death was not reported until this past week.  Hope was 35.

The tragic ending to Hope's life is disturbing, to say the least.  One wonders how a star of a television series that was arguably one of the most popular teen sitcoms in Canada for most of the 80's and early 90's could have ended up so desolate and reclusive.  It personally reminds me of a once young promising local star, who seemingly vanished off the face of the earth less than a decade ago.  Remy Shand.

Remy Shand, a native Winnipegger from Garden City, sent in a demo tape to a record producer Steve Warden at the age of 19.  Warden was so impressed by Shand's work, which he managed to convince Motown Records to sign him.  Soon he released his debut album "The Way I Feel," which went on to win a 2003 Juno award for Best R&B/Soul recording.  The album was a massive hit in Canada, sold 500,000 copies in the U.S., and was even nominated for Grammy Awards. 

Shand was scheduled to release his much anticipated follow-up album "Day in the Shade." in 2003.  However, for unknown reasons, the album was never released.   Since that time, the whereabouts of Shand have been a mystery.  There has been much speculation as to where the artist disappeared to, but there has been no public confirmation as to where he resides, or if he is involved in the music industry at all.

A commentator by the name of "Jarvis"(and a supposed insider I assume), recently posted on a 2006 blog article about the whereabouts of Remy Shand.  He had this to say:

"He went through a messy divorce a few years back, and was said to be suffering from depression. He was finally getting back to making music last year, but then his mother died. According to family it hurt him so much that he didn’t even attend the funeral. Let’s just hope this man can catch a break and get back to making amazing music in the near future."

Wherever Remy may be, I hope he is enjoying life.  Perhaps the media spotlight was just not for him.  Regardless, I would not ever wish for Shand to suffer a fate similar to that of the late actor Neil Hope.

Free Press Columnist Gordon Sinclair Jr: Are his stories fact or fiction?

I've noticed more and more Free Press posters calling out Gordon Sinclair Jr., for inconsistencies in his opinion pieces for the Winnipeg Free Press. I never like to accuse anyone of fabricating a story, but after reading the comments in response to this article, I could not help doubt his version of events:

"And then, about three years ago, he got a call from Animal Services.

They had found a cat with an identification chip that led them to his phone number. John recalled how Curious George reacted when he saw him at the shelter. It was as if the cat was holding out his paws, asking John to take him into his arms.

Begging for John to take him back.

And that's how the two best friends were reunited."

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"Then, he thanked me for listening.

And I stood up to leave.

But before I left, I told John to stand up, too. And then I reached out my arms, the way Curious George once seemed to do with his paws. And I held him -- the way I sensed no one had for years.

Not even his best friend, Curious George."

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Seems like a touching story. Except for the fact that one Free Press commentator called him out.  It raises some questions about the article:

"Let me make something clear. Animal services cannot, nor has ever, housed cats. They simply do not have the appropriate kenneling space or facilities. Animal services and the Winnipeg Humane Society have always gotten along very well, so whenever cat space was needed, the Humane Society was called and things were arranged there."

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So, did this actually happen? Is Sinclair exaggerating? Or is it completely fabricated?

Winnipeg Zoom: The City's newest internet forum

Winnipeg has a new internet forum.  In December 2011, a forum member who uses the handle "Munchkinguy" created Winnipeg Zoom after a forum by the name of newwinnipeg.com closed it's doors after 11 years of being the main place local residents could debate politics, the arts, sports, and issues facing the city.   Having existed for less than two months, it continues to add members with each passing day.

Current issues members of Winnipeg Zoom have voiced their opinion on include the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, a rapid transit system for Winnipeg, the Northern Gateway Pipeline, Bill C-10: the new proposed crime bill, and much more.   If you would like to become a member of the Winnipeg Zoom forum, please register here.

Nose Hill Park (Calgary)

For much of yesterday, I was in Calgary enjoying the unseasonably warm weather.  The high reached 10C, and there was barely any snow in the city.  I took the time in the afternoon to hike through Nose Hill Park, a large hill in the north section of the city.  It overlooks most of Calgary, including the downtown area.  I took the liberty of snapping some pictures for all of you to enjoy.

Evander Kane rumors overblown

If you have any connections to Winnipeg, and love hockey, there is a good chance you have heard about the rumors surrounding Winnipeg Jets prodigy Evander Kane.  There have been unsubstantiated rumors and gossip that Kane has had a habit of walking out of local restaurants and bars, without paying his bills.   For anyone not familiar with Kane, he is a 2009 first round draft pick,  Jets lead goal scorer, and many say has the ability to one day become a 50 goal scorer.

(photo courtesy of the Toronto Sun)

Several blogs and articles have mentioned the allegations.  Winnipeg Free Press reporter Gary Lawless wrote an article in defense of Kane.  Less flattering articles have come from 'Puck Daddy' author Greg Wyshynski.  The worst article I have read thus far has come from ex-Free Press sports columnist Scott Taylor.   The Taylor article is full of inaccuracies, and invites readers to some morally reprehensible websites that have discussions on Kane, including thedirty.com.  

One commentator using the handle "Hildymac" had this interesting tidbit in regards to Kane's time in Atlanta, and advice for the young star:

"Here in ATL, no one cared what he did, both on and off the ice.  The coaches were terrible at accountability, the party scene was great and the guys were unknowns outside of the fan base.  Factor in no press coverage, and you have the perfect environment for a young guy to basically do whatever.  Regardless of if Kane's walked out on tabs or been a douche-nozzle in public or not, he needs to adjust to the spotlight if he wants to be successful in Winnipeg"

It seems to me that there is one player on just about every NHL team, who stands alone in acting as a lighting rod for off ice rumors and gossip about their supposed off-ice shenanigans.  I currently reside in Edmonton, and I have learned that nearly the exact same gossip is spread about Oilers star Taylor Hall.  When I resided in Calgary a few years ago, most gossip focused around ex-Flames player Dion Phaneuf.  Let's not forget about ex-Senators forward Dany Heatley.  I won't even contemplate what these players would have to endure if they played for the Montreal Canadiens, as the local media would likely tear them to shreds.

Keith Tkachuk

This is not a unique phenomenon either.  Imagine if social media had been around when the first incarnation of the Winnipeg Jets existed.  Keith Tkachuk was infamous for his supposed off ice antics.  Let's not forget about Calgary's Theo Fleury, Edmonton's Glenn Anderson, Ottawa's Alexei Yashin, and Vancouver's Pavel Bure.  Even two time MVP, and hall of fame member Mark Messier was not immune from  this.  Messier's time with the Canucks organization was marred by controversy, including reports that he demanded that he wear the #11, even though it had been unofficially retired in honor of the late Wayne Maki, despite the pleas of the Maki family.

I`ve heard of talk about Kane`s supposed antics when he was a member of the Atlanta Thrashers, and when he played junior hockey with the Vancouver Giants.  Some may be true, some may not.  However, at 20 years of age, Kane is still a young man who has a lot of maturing to do.  If Kane is a pompous arrogant asshole outside the rink, that does not really concern me.  If he is doing his job contributing to the Winnipeg Jets hockey club in a positive manner, that is all I am really concerned about.  He won`t be the first, or the last NHL player in Winnipeg to make a negative impression on locals.