Best of July

 

        Richard Lautens              

 When it came to finding this month's collection of work, I couldn't resist offering up Richard Lauten's portrait taken on the last day of the month - today! At first, I thought it was an illustration (a picture designed, or conceived, or art directed, and a paid model) and pleasantly surprised to find a portrait (a picture which depicts something about the person). I'll let Lauten's caption speak for itself" Trish is one of more than 186,000 women in the US and Canada have logged on to find their own version of Christian Grey, the character from the book Fifty Shades of Grey. By mid-July 4,931 women from Toronto had altered their profiles on the site seakingarrangements.com indicating they were looking for a Mr. Grey, in other words, a dominant/submissive relationship with BDSM.

What follows is a more day-to-day representation of the types of assignments the staff find themselves up against. Steve Russell is only 4 days in the London 2012 Games, but already working around the clock getting to numerous events, so this is just a tease to the Best of August, when he will be featured prominently.

Jamaica's Future Olympians

Bernard Weil, Chief Photographer/Multimedia - @bernardweil

 

Since 1910, athletes from high schools throughout Jamaica make the annual pilgrimage to the Kingston National Stadium to compete in the Inter-Secondary Schools Boys and Girls Championships, also known as CHAMPS. It's a four day extravaganza that's been a springboard for some of the top athletes in the world. 

Having photographed many high school track and field meets in my career, this was unlike any I've covered. The level of organization and calibre of athletes approached that of the Olympics, four of which I have photographed for the Star. Star reporter Royson James and I went to Jamaica to find out why so many top atheletes are coming from this country of less than 3 million people.

 

Framed by mansions on the hilltop, Jamie Lee Gordon, of Manchester High School, flies past a judge in the girls 13-19year-old long jump.

 

FINALLY, some rain for July's heat

Rick Madonik, Staff Photographer - @RMadonik

Seven-year-old German Shepherd Angel shakes off the water after being hosed down by owner Joanne Boudreault. Its a daily routine between owner and pet during the hot, humid, summer weather.

 

Docs duke it out for charity fundraiser

Rick Madonik, Staff Photographer

They are both men who heal, who treat the sick and comfort the ill. Normally! On Saturday night, they were just two guys with a grudge, and a good cause. And although neither was liqoured up, the two middle aged, moderatly overweight and aerobically challenged, climbed inside a boxing ring and went toe-to-toe.

Best of June 2012

 

RICHARD LAUTENS - 95 year-old Ida Herbert (she turns 96 in August) teaches her first ever yoga class in Toronto.  She held a class for the 30 or so students at Breeze studio in the Junction.

When bullets fly

Rick Madonik - Staff Photographer - @RMadonik

I'm resistant to change, especially technological change. Even when The Star switched to digital cameras, I was reluctant to take that step. (For work purposes, I can't imagine going back to film. That's not to say I don't miss film, I do.)

Last year, when I was headed to Libya to cover the ongoing conflict, I was asked to "Tweet" and declined to do so. Even with recognizing the role of social media, and its affect on the Arab Spring, I didn't want to be committed to Twitter. First, I was not a fan of letting the world know exactly where I was at any given moment since who knows who would be "following" my tweets. Secondly, there was the question about whether or not my phone reception would be working at all. (Often, in such circumstances, celluar phone activity is severely disrupted). 

Last night (Saturday, June 2, 2012) the newsroom was alerted to the shooting at the Eaton Centre by a Tweet from Toronto Blue Jays 3rd baseman Brett Lawrie (@blawrie13) who was inside the mall and heard the gunshots. When picture editor Canice Leung (@canice) dispatched me to the scene, she told me it was based on a tweet by the baseball player. I'll admit I rolled my eyes at the source, and gathered my gear and headed to the car.

Turns out Lawrie's information was right.

I would soon send out two tweets myself. "Shooting inside Eaton Centre. Two transported to hospital," and "One victim 13 yr old male. 2nd victim adult male." I tweeted this AFTER photographing the two victims as they were taken to ambulances. I chose to "report" one of the victims as 13 years old, when I overheard EMS personnel discussing which hosptial to transport the victim. (St. Mike's Heath Centre is the "trauma" centre and Hosptial for Sick Children, obviously, is for kids.)

The next time I checked my phone, perhaps 15 minutes later, the number of people "following" me had nearly quadrupled. Previously, I had a following of 40 people, and now its 145. Certaintly I don't have numbers like Lawrie - he has 125,000 followers - but I was surprised by the bump in numbers.

I can't say my opinion of "citizen journalism" has changed much, but there is some merit to it. Time will tell if such methods of reporting go the distance. After all, anyone could post something and it could "trend" worldwide before the information is verified, or proven wrong, or the facts lay somewhere between.

 

An adult male, with what appears to be more than one gunshot wound to his upper left chest, is moved to an ambulance for transport to hospital.

Our favourites from May

 

TARA WALTON - Ottawa's Helene Campbell poses for photos in her Toronto apartment Monday May 28, 2012 where she is recovering from a double lung transplant.  In April Campbell underwent a double lung transplant at Toronto General Hospital.  During her time on the waiting list Helene became Canada's greatest advocate for organ donation, sparking hundreds to sign up through the power of twitter.

Yonge and Eglinton no longer intersect!

One Yonge Street and Rick Eglinton that is.

Two-time National Newspaper Award winner Rick Eglinton retires this week from the Toronto Star at One Yonge Street.

Here is some of his work over his 26 years at the Toronto Star.

Joe Carter jumps for joy after three-run homer in 1993 World Series win. Rick Eglinton won the National Newspaper Award for Sports Photography for this picture.

 

Our April 2012 Favourites!

 

LUCAS OLENIUK - Jasmin Razak, centre, joined her fellow community members to discuss how the Regent Park revitalization effort has affected lives.  Razak, a long-time Regent Park resident, recently moved from an old building to a new building.

Remembering Randy

Rick Madonik, Staff Photographer - @RMadonik

Randy Starkman loved what he did. He was devoted to it, compelled by it, and consumed with it. Randy never stopped working. And Randy’s career will never be forgotten. The outpouring of messages, blogs, and remembrances, by journalists and athletes from across the country, is a testament to the dedication he displayed in his career,

Photo by Wanda Goodwin

 Starkman leaves behind his wife, CBC journalist Mary Hynes, and their daughter Ella, the two people, undoubtably, who will miss him more than I can imagine.

 I was never close friends with Starkman, but I’ve known him for about 45 years. I’m not sure, I’d have to look at my Grade 1 class picture, but I think that’s where I first encountered Randy. We grew up, literally, a couple of blocks from each other in Bathurst Manor, in North York. We went to grade school, junior high and high school together. Although we were the same age, we weren’t in the same circle of people. But we knew each other fairly well and bumped shoulders in road hockey games (he was fearless) or floor hockey.

 As I was still trying to figure out what I would do with my life, I was aware Randy began working at UPC (United Press Canada) and was cutting his teeth in sport journalism by covering Alpine skiing in Europe. He landed at the Star a couple of years before I did, but in some weird way, it was comforting to know a guy I grew up with was a coworker. (In fact, I found it strange how many of us from the same year, of the same high school, ended up working at major Toronto media outlets. Sean Fine has been at The Globe and Mail for over 20 years, and Perry Lefko worked at The Toronto Sun, until a few years ago.)

 Back in 2003, Starkman and I traveled to Helsinki, Finland, for a week to cover Hayley Wickenheiser’s debut in a men’s professional hockey league. It was a freakishly cold winter (the Baltic Sea was frozen over) and the lack of sunlight (it was early January) was mood altering. What was refreshing was to witness the amazing rapport Starkman had with athletes (in this case Wickenheiser) he had covered for years. Wickenheiser was genuinely happy to see Randy. She went out of her way to spend time with us. Just before we left to come home, and after her debut game, the three of us shared a long, lingering dinner of Reindeer and beers (and a few shots). It is one of my fondest memories.

 In 2009, Starkman and I spent two weeks in Vancouver/Whistler as the precursor to our VANOC 2010 coverage. His expertise on various athletes seemed endless. His unending work ethic was tiring – even to watch.

 At the same time, he often spoke of his daughter Ella. He was a proud dad and was always looking for something to buy her when he was on a trip.

Just before heading west for that trip, I arrived at my yoga studio to find Starkman just finishing a class. Sometimes you'd find Starkman in places you'd never figured. Once in a while, he did tear himself away from work for other endeavors.

 Covering an Olympics for The Star team will never be same. The vast knowledge Randy had tucked away in his head was invaluable, and probably impossible to replicate. His unique sense of humor, and ability to say what was on his mind - although difficult sometimes - will be missed.

 This afternoon, at 4 pm, the newsroom gathered to remember Starkman. A number of people spoke, including Editor Michael Cook, John Honderich, TorStar Chairman of the Board (former Publisher, former Editor) and a number of people who worked directly with Starkman. From the stories told, and reflections cast, he surely will be missed.

Toronto Star Editor Michael Cooke moves Randy's portrait as he begins to speak in the office. Vince Talotta Photo

Designer Spencer Wynn listens to the speakers. Vince Talotta photo.

Reporter Mary Ormsby comforts Travel Editor Jim Byers as columnist Dave Perkins looks down. Vince Talotta photo.

Reporter Sue Pigg laughs during one of the lighter moments. Vince Talotta photo.

Newsroom staff listen to speakers during the memorial ceremony. Vince Talotta photo.

Chairman of the Board (TorStar) John Honderich speaks about Randy in the early years of his career. Richard Lautens photo.

A portrait of Randy Starkman at the front of the room as staff gather. Richard Lautens photo.

Staff gather around "the hub" as speakers reflect on the life of Randy Starkman. Richard Lautens photo.

Reporter Leslie Scrivener is seen through the crowd as she listens to speakers. Richard Lautens photo.

Photographer David Cooper, reporters Michelle Shepherd and Jim Rankin, among those gathered for the memorial. Richard Lautens photo.

Reporter Dan Girard tells how Starkman would have his daily phone call at 3:15 pm with daughter Ella. Richard Lautens photo.

The newsroom gathered for the afternoon memorial. Richard Lautens photo.

Reporter Kevin Donovan during the afternoon memorial. Rick Madonik photo.

Columnist, former Sports Editor, Dave Perkins, during the midday remembrance. Rick Madonik photo.

Reporter Vanessa Lu near the projection screen which shows a younger version of Randy Starkman. Rick Madonik photo.

From left, Eddie Lee, Curt Rush (back) and Donovan Vincent, listen to speeches. Rick Madonik photo.

Travel Editor Jim Byers (who headed up a number of Olympic teams for The Star) tells a story about Randy's need to buy a quirky hat. Rick Madonik photo.

National Editor Colin Mackenzie listens to speeches. Rick Madonik photo.

Picture Editor Denis Cyr watches the presentation. Rick Madonik photo

City Editor Graham Parley looks on as speakers take to the microphone. Parley was Sports Editor for years. Rick Madonik photo

Reporter Jennifer Yang in front of columnist Rosie DiManno and TorStar Chair of the Board, John Honderich. Rick Madonik photo