John Ackermann
North Vancouver
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Articles by John Ackermann
John Ackermann (1938–2026) of Belleville, IL | Obituary
John Marvin Ackermann, 88, of Belleville, IL, born July 20, 1938, in East St. Louis, IL, died Monday, July 27, 2026, at Dammert Center, Belleville, IL. John graduated from Collinsville Highschool in 1956. After graduating, he served in the United States Navy for three years. Following his service, he received his master’s degree at Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville.
Alberta alone: a new book details the long, deep-rooted history of Alberta separatism
On Oct. 19, Albertans will vote in a referendum on whether they want to remain a province of Canada or take part in another referendum on whether to separate from the rest of the country. The full referendum question reads, “Should Alberta remain a province of Canada, or should the government of Alberta commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding referendum on whether or not to separate from Canada?” How did we get here? And where could this lead?
Vancouver Heritage Foundation celebrating its 100th and 101st plaques
The Vancouver Heritage Foundation is marking a major milestone. The non-profit organization is celebrating 15 years of its Places That Matter program with not one, but two plaque presentations on Tuesday. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE! It’s a major achievement for a program built on the belief that local stories deserve to be remembered and celebrated. Plaque #100 will go up in Robson Park to honour the Mount Pleasant Family Centre Society.
B.C. Indigenous artist Roy Henry Vickers celebrates 80th birthday with career-spanning new book
He has made a career out of using clean lines, vivid colours, and natural themes to reflect the rugged beauty of B.C. Now, Indigenous artist Roy Henry Vickers has returned with a new book, looking back at a half-century of his work. The Best of Roy Henry Vickers: 80 Selected Works marks not only his 50-plus years as a professional artist but comes as he celebrates his 80th birthday. He admits the idea for the book came from Robert “Lucky” Budd, his longtime collaborator.
B.C. Indigenous artist Roy Henry Vickers celebrates 80th birthday with career-spanning new book
Culture 8 hours ago 7 Historical Battles That Feel Straight Out of Westeros mentalfloss.com - Chris Wheatley • 8h While you wait for the Battle of the Gullet to play out in ‘House of the Dragon,’ check out these seven real-life battles.
Vancouver’s “Bard on the Beach” Shakespeare Festival kicks off with modern spin
The 37th season of Vancouver’s “Bard on the Beach” Shakespeare Festival kicks off this week. It all gets started on Tuesday night with The Merry Wives of Windsor, followed by Macbeth on Wednesday night. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE! Artistic Director Christopher Gaze says that The Merry Wives of Windsor are back with a modern spin. “It is all about soccer, because FIFA’s coming, the World Cup is going to be here and I’m excited about that,” Gaze told 1130 NewsRadio.
Stripes and Stars: a retired NHL referee looks back at Stanley Cup Final and Olympic gold medal games
It’s that time of year again, when two teams battle it out for North American hockey supremacy. And few people know the Stanley Cup Final better than retired NHL referee Bill McCreary. He has officiated more games in the championship series than anyone else. Now, McCreary is sharing some of his insights in Stories from Ice Level: A Great NHL Referee Tells All – a new book co-written with Vancouver-based sportscaster and author Rob Simpson.
‘Doors Open Richmond’ celebrates culture and diversity of the Island By Nature
The 19th annual “Doors Open Richmond” event is on this weekend. Cindy Nachareun speaks for the Richmond Museum Society. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE! She says there are more than 40 participating sites this year — including seven new locations. “There’s the Alexandra District energy utility location, which is a rare kind of behind the scenes look at the city’s geothermal energy system that feeds that entire neighborhood,” said Nachareun.
COURAGE TO COME BACK: Medical award recipient advocates for a more inclusive world
He lost the use of his left arm and both his legs nearly 15 years ago. Today, he advocates for wheelchair accessibility and inclusion. Our series of Courage To Come Back award profiles concludes with a look at Mark Stockbrocks of Vancouver, the recipient in the Medical category. On Nov. 27, 2011, he suffered a massive brain bleed caused by a congenital AVM – short for arteriovenous malformation. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE! “I bled for 15 hours.
COURAGE TO COME BACK: Young Adult award recipient won’t let cancer slow him down
He was 13 when doctors told him he had osteosarcoma, the same knee-area bone cancer as Terry Fox. Today, he finds his healing in helping others. Our series of Courage To Come Back profiles continues with a look at Jacob Bredenhof of Abbotsford, the recipient of the Young Adult award. Now 21, Bredenhof still remembers the day he received the diagnosis that would change his life.
COURAGE TO COME BACK: Addiction award recipient still searches for redemption
He came to Vancouver in 2004 with just $23 to his name. Today, he operates a society that has helped thousands of struggling addicts. Our series of Courage To Come Back award profiles continues with a look at Cole Izsak of White Rock, the recipient in the Addiction category. Izsak’s addiction story starts in 1980’s Los Angeles. It was the height of the AIDS epidemic. And he had just lost his partner to the disease.
COURAGE TO COME BACK: Mental Health award recipient a beacon of hope to others
For the first 20 years of her life, she lived with undiagnosed mental illness. Today, she is a beacon of hope for others. Our series of Courage To Come Back award profiles begins with a look at Laurie Edmundson of Abbotsford, the recipient in the Mental Health category. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE! Edmundson had a childhood filled with panic attacks, unexplained and disproportionate rage, self-harm, and overwhelming emotional pain.
Bard on the Beach artistic director Christopher Gaze looks back in a new memoir
The 37th season of Vancouver’s Bard on the Beach Shakespeare festival kicks off June 9th with Macbeth and The Merry Wives of Windsor taking over the BMO Main Stage at Vanier Park. One man has been there since the very beginning, founding artistic director Christopher Gaze. Now, comes a new book to tell the story of Western Canada’s largest Shakespeare festival by the man who started it all.
‘Just keep going’: Vancouver comedian to spend 24 hours on stage fundraising for charity
The marathon comedy event of the season will return to Vancouver Friday. Local comedian Graham Clark is bringing back his 24-Hours of Stand-Up fundraiser for a fourth straight year. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE! He explains that the show revolves around a full-day performance. “I’m on stage the whole time — aside from bathroom breaks,” Clark told 1130 NewsRadio. “And I have a team of very, very funny comedians just constantly writing jokes that I deliver.
Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, a Movember fundraiser, celebrates 15th anniversary
Hundreds of motorcyclists will be riding around Vancouver this weekend for a good cause. The 15th annual Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride raises money for Movember, the annual moustache-growing fundraiser for prostate cancer research and men’s mental health. “The distinguished gentleman’s ride is the funnest ride,” said Eric Hendrikx, a longtime participant. “Everyone gets dressed up dapper. They ride on classic motorcycles. It’s sort of a parade in downtown in over 1,100 cities around the world.
Vancouver Art Book Fair returns to Yaletown for weekend
Canada’s longest-running international art book fair returns to Vancouver for its 14th year Friday. Jonathan Middleton, co-manager of the Vancouver Art Book Fair, says visitors shouldn’t expect to find the same kind of books they might at a Chapters retailer. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE! “You know, you’ll get things at the book fair that you just will never find anywhere else,” said Middleton. “Sometimes, even online, you can’t find these publications.
Good luck, good timing, and marrying well: Whit Fraser, Canada’s viceregal consort, looks back in a new memoir
This week, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced former Supreme Court justice Louise Arbour will become Canada’s 31st Governor General when Mary Simon, the current viceregal representative, steps down next month. Simon has the distinction of being the country’s first Indigenous governor general, following a lifetime spent advocating for Inuit and northern issues. And there, cheering her on from the sidelines, was her husband, Whit Fraser, the viceregal consort of Canada.
Legendary Vancouver rockers Doug and The Slugs remembered in a ‘real enough’ new memoir
They were too polished to be punk and too smart to be corporate rock. Vancouver’s Doug and the Slugs carved out a unique space in the North American music scene of the 1980s. Many of their hits like “Too Bad,” “Day by Day,” and “Makin’ It Work” can still be heard on the radio today. Now, nearly 50 years after their formation, comes a new book that celebrates that legacy. Real Enough: The Unlikely Story of Doug and the Slugs was written by original Slug Simon Kendall and historian Aaron Chapman.
Record Store Day returns for a 19th year of celebrating independent music stores
Saturday is Record Store Day, the 19th annual celebration of independent music retailers that began in 2007. “It’s still by a mile our busiest day of the year, and every year is busier than the previous one,” said Ben Frith, manager of Vancouver’s Neptoon Records. Frith says it’s remarkable how the event has evolved over the years. Neptoon Records in Vancouver.
Vancouver’s Powell Street Festival marks 50 years of community and social justice with a new book and exhibition
Vancouver’s Powell Street Festival is marking a milestone anniversary this year. The annual celebration of the city’s historic Japanese Canadian community is turning 50 with a new retrospective exhibition and a companion book, both called Return to Paueru Gai. Powell Street or Paueru Gai was home to Vancouver’s Japanese Canadian community before their members were dispossessed and interned during World War II.
Ten Vancouver reads from the NewsRadio Bookshelf
April 6th was designated as Vancouver’s official birthday in 2019. It was on that date in 1886 that the city was first incorporated. In honour of Vancouver’s 140th birthday, here is a list of the 10 most recent Vancouver-themed books featured on the NewsRadio Bookshelf.
A long and mostly potholed path: a new book looks at Canada’s road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup
We are just under three months away from the start of the biggest sporting event on the planet — maybe even the biggest sporting event in history — the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This time, Canadian soccer fans won’t have to pack into crowded bars and coffee shops to watch it. For the first time, they can do so in person here at home. Canada is co-hosting the World Cup with the United States and Mexico.
Lost in Space: a former astronaut child talks family, betrayal, and redemption in a new memoir
Imagine growing up in a foreign country while your parents lived and worked on the other side of the ocean. That was the reality for generations of children from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and elsewhere living in Canada in the 1970s and ’80s. Now, the story of one such “astronaut child” is being told in a new book. “I think I had to write the book ultimately for my younger self,” said Wiley Wei-Chiun Ho, author of The Astronaut Children of Dunbar Street: A Memoir.
Not your parents’ financial playbook: author touts the power of artificial intelligence in managing money Original
It seems like self-help books are a dime-a-dozen these days, especially ones in the personal finance genre. But Kelley Keehn, an award-winning Toronto-based financial educator and best-selling author, is offering something a little different. Save Yourself: A New Approach to Thinking About Money and Taking Control of Your Financial Future is her 12th and latest book. One of its major themes is how many of the old rules of personal finance simply don’t apply anymore.
photographer offers tour through Vancouver's history of neon signs
In a city that once rivalled Las Vegas for neon lights, one museum is making sure Vancouver's vibrant history isn't forgotten. That's the idea behind "Lighting Up the Past: Vancouver's Neon Signs" - the latest in a series of 'talk and tea' events at the Old Hastings Mill Store Museum in Point Grey. Photographer Gord McCaw will take audiences on a guided tour of dozens of the city's iconic neon signs from the 1950s and '60s.
Legendary former voice of Vancouver Canucks Jim Robson dies at 91
Former Vancouver Canucks broadcaster Jim Robson has died, colleagues have confirmed. Robson joined CKWX, now 1130 NewsRadio, in 1956, covering the BC Lions, the WHL Vancouver Canucks, and the Vancouver Mounties baseball team. He was most famously the voice of the NHL Vancouver Canucks on CKNW from 1970 to 1999. In a post to social media Tuesday, the team's current play-by-play broadcaster on Sportsnet 650, Brendan Batchelor, said "the word legend isn't enough" to describe Robson.
A book uses humour to confront truths about sex and relationships
Giving readers and writers the chance to connect with the sensual sides of themselves and each other; that's the idea behind a new collection of short non-fiction stories coming out just in time for Valentine's Day. "Grown-up themes ahead - intimacy, desire, and the vulnerable bits. Not for younger readers. Read gently at your own pace." So begins Pillow Talk: Real People, Real Stories, Real Awkward.
CKWX celebrates 30 years of all news radio
It was 30 years ago this Sunday that Vancouver was introduced to a new radio service. At 8:00 a.m. on Feb. 8, 1996, CKWX became News1130, now known as 1130 NewsRadio Vancouver. Top stories that day included: the launch of News1130, flooding in Oregon, and CFCs damaging the ozone layer. In sports, the Vancouver Canucks lost 5-3 at home to the Hartford Whalers, a reminder that some things never change.
Vancouver-based writer shares his penny-pinching wisdom in a new book
It seems making ends meet is tougher than ever these days, what with an affordability crisis, a housing crisis, and the looming threat of tariffs (and who knows what else) from our southern neighbour. Now comes a new book seemingly tailor-made for these times. Cheapskate in Lotusland: The Philosophy and Practice of Living Well on a Small Budget is the latest title from Vancouver-based writer Steve Burgess. It turns out he knows his subject very well.
a new biography looks at the late John Candy in front of and away from the camera.
More than three decades after his death, John Candy remains one of Canada's best-known comedy exports, from his time as the breakout star of the groundbreaking sketch comedy series SCTV to films like Planes, Trains and Automobiles. 2025 marked 75 years since his birth, and two projects observed that milestone: I Like Me, a feature-length documentary produced by Vancouver-born actor Ryan Reynolds, and John Candy: A Life in Comedy, a new biography by writer, podcaster, and former Vancouverite .
financial planning expert returns with a new edition of his signature work Original
David Chilton was just 27 years old when the original edition of The Wealthy Barber was first published back in 1989. It would go on to sell more than two million copies, making him a go-to expert on financial planning and eventually a panelist on TV's Dragon's Den. Now, more than 35 years later, he's back with The Wealthy Barber: The Fully Updated All-Time Canadian Classic, a revised edition of his signature work dedicated to a new generation of investors.
NewsRadio Bookshelf top 10 reads of 2025
Here are the top 10 reads from the NewsRadio Bookshelf, comprising some of the best in local, B.C., and Canadian non-fiction, history, and current affairs. The traditional textbook version of Canadian history is a familiar narrative: modern Canada, from its inception through Confederation in 1867, was the culmination of a long-running experiment in which French and English-speaking colonists attempted to live together peacefully. Greg Koabel's The Making of Canada zooms out from that view.
Downtown Eastside non-profit distributes food hampers just in time for Christmas
A local non-profit stepped up this week, giving out food hampers in the Downtown Eastside, Strathcona, and Chinatown, just in time for Christmas. Evan Reeks, operations manager of the Downtown Eastside Emergency Supply Hub (DTES Hub), says everything was possible thanks to food distribution partners in the community. "We were able to gather about 5,000 pounds of food today and just reopen it up to anyone that missed," Reeks said earlier this week.
Mark Carney leads Liberals to unlikely election victory
2025 was an election year in Canada, but this year's federal election was unlike any other in recent memory. Someday, books will be written about the April 28 federal election. In fact, one already has - Canada Versus Donald Trump: The 51st State Votes. While the U.S. president wasn't on the ballot, his trade war was very much on the minds of Canadians.
the story of ferry travel in B.C., both good and bad, is told in a new book
From just two ships in 1960 to a fleet of 75 vessels today, BC Ferries is one of the world's largest ferry fleets in terms of size, boasting a workforce of some 4,500 employees. But the history of coastal ferry travel in these parts stretches back much further than that, long before BC Ferries was even in a twinkle in Premier W.A.C. Bennett's eye, and even before the founding of British Columbia itself.
Vancouver's 'Keithmas' food bank fundraiser celebrates sweet 16 anniversary on Saturday
The world's longest-running Keith Richards-themed Christmas party is back. Keithmas XVI: A Food Bank Fundrager is set for Saturday night at Vancouver's Rickshaw Theatre. The benefit concert takes its name from the legendary Rolling Stones guitarist and features local bands performing Stones songs and selections from his solo catalogue. It usually takes place on or around Dec. 18. "Keith's birthday is Dec. 18, and I think he'll be 82 this year.
Vancouver charity hosting 82nd annual Christmas meal
A holiday tradition is returning to the Lower Mainland Friday. The Union Gospel Mission will host its 82nd annual Christmas Meal at the charity's Downtown Eastside and New Westminster locations. Spokesperson Nick Wells says UGM made the choice to host the event on a weekday for a good reason. "There's a bunch of different meals that run around similar times. So this is making sure that we are focusing and discussing with our community that we're not doubling up so that ...
viral messages from the neon marquee at Vancouver's legendary Penthouse nightclub are collected in a new book
If your commute includes Seymour Street in downtown Vancouver, you may already be familiar with the neon marquee outside the legendary Penthouse Nightclub. These days, the viral messages its tile lettering spells out get more attention than the nearly 80-year-old establishment itself. Now, the best of them have been collected in a new book, A Sign of the Times: The Best of the Penthouse Marquee by Ben "The Sign Guy" Jackson and historian Aaron Chapman.
historian offers a fresh, nuanced look at Canada's prime ministers, from Macdonald to Carney
Quick, how many prime ministers can you name? It should be an easy question to answer, but, these days, for many younger Canadians, it is not. Award-winning educator, writer, commentator, and public speaker J.D.M. Stewart learned that the hard way while giving a presentation to classroom full of students.
Culture Crawl festival returns to East Vancouver
The Eastside Culture Crawl returns to Vancouver for its 29th year Thursday. Showcasing hundreds of artists and their process, the annual visual arts, design, and craft festival in more than 80 buildings - including 20 added in 2025. Esther Rausenberg, artistic director of the Eastside Arts Society, says she hopes people can brave the forecasted rain this weekend. "Vancouverites can't shy away from a little bit of rain. If we did that, we would never go out. So do step out. Do go 'crawl'-ing.
A new biography captures the fighting spirit of Canucks legend Gino Odjick
When it comes to fan favourites, few Canucks are as beloved as the late Gino Odjick. An enforcer on the ice, he was nicknamed the Algonquin Assassin and the Maniwaki Mauler. And his 2,127 penalty minutes remain a franchise record. But off the ice, Odjick is remembered as a gentle giant, a friend to all, and an inspiration to generations of Indigenous athletes.
Vancouver's Chutzpah! Festival returns for 25th year
Showcasing music, theatre, comedy, dance, and storytelling through a multicultural Jewish lens, The Chutzpah! Festival returns to Vancouver Wednesday. This year, the festival marks a quarter of a century showcasing local, national, and international Jewish artists. Managing Artistic Director Shayna Goldberg says 2025's festival has a special focus on "true-life" stories.
Vancouver's Transform Festival returns Thursday
Music, theatre, dance, and drag will collide in an explosive cabaret-style festival returning to Vancouver this week. Weaving together the distinct voices and perspectives of Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists alike, Urban Ink's Transform Festival starts at the Vancouver Playhouse Thursday night. Artistic Director Corey Payette says the event features its biggest and boldest line-up in all six years. "We have Rebecca Strong, who was just the winner of Canada's Got Talent.
Annual moustache-growing fundraiser Movember returns with a new push towards advocacy
Movember, the annual moustache-growing fundraiser for prostate cancer and men's health initiatives, kicks off on Saturday. The money supports many worthy causes, including, for the first time in Movember history, advocacy. "Movember has typically funded programs that support [men's health], but now we're actually developing an advocacy wing and a policy and a government relations wing," said Mitch Hermansen, director of fundraising and development for Movember Canada.
Vancouver's Writers Fest returns Monday with a renewed focus on Canadian authors
"A scintillating line-up of exceptional books, ideas, and dialogue" is how organizers describe the 38th annual Vancouver Writers Fest, which begins on Monday. They also admit there will be a bit of an "elbows up" theme this time around. "This year our event is more than ever really about great Canadian authors, about tackling some of the big issues that Canadians are thinking about right now, especially since the beginning of the year," said artistic director Leslie Hurtig.
former premier's posthumous memoir offers a candid look inside B.C. politics
Next month will mark one year since the passing of former Premier John Horgan. And while much has been written about him since then, now it's his turn to have the last word. John Horgan in His Own Words: A Memoir is a rare and candid read, the type seldom seen in B.C. politics, much like Horgan himself. "It's like having a beer with somebody you know, and you're reading it, and you think, 'I'm here with John Horgan and he's talking to me about all this stuff,'" said co-author Rod Mickleburgh.
New book throws a middle finger at Donald Trump's 51st State rhetoric
Are you tired of Donald Trump's 51st State rhetoric? You're not alone. Canada Is Not The 51st F-ing State: Canadians Face Off Against Donald Trump's Worst Idea Ever is a new collection of essays, interviews, and artwork from a diverse group of contributors. It is published by Cosmic Cranium Press. "We got a great cross section of people," said editor and publisher John Hughes. "We have a doctor; we have an Indigenous artist. We have a schoolteacher.
Nominations now open for the 2026 Coast Mental Health Courage To Come Back Awards
They recognize courage in all its forms. Organizers of the Coast Mental Health Courage To Come Back Awards are now taking nominations for next year's event. 1130 NewsRadio is a proud sponsor of the awards, which raise critical funds for British Columbians living with mental illness. There are four categories for 2026: Medical, Addiction, Mental Health, and Youth - which recognizes nominees aged 19 to 25. Omar Bseiso is the 2025 recipient for Youth.
retired foreign correspondent Brian Stewart looks back at a lifetime of groundbreaking coverage
At the age of 14, Brian Stewart dreamed of seeing history being made. That dream eventually came true more than once. He would report from a total of 10 war zones, from Lebanon to Afghanistan. He would interview many of the leading newsmakers of his era - including Nelson Mandela, Margaret Thatcher, Salman Rushdie, and Henry Kissinger. And he would be acclaimed for his decades of reporting for the CBC. But today, the subject isn't a foreign war or some international figure. This time, it's himself.
Vancouver author returns with a second Perfect Day for a Walk book, looking at the city's waterways
"By sea, land, and air we prosper" has long been the motto of the City of Vancouver. "By sea" also sums up a new book that takes the reader on a series of excursions in, on, and even under the waters of our city. When we last spoke with author Bill Arnott, he was promoting A Perfect Day for Walk: The History, Cultures, and Communities of Vancouver, on Foot. Now, a year later, comes the sequel, A Perfect Day for a Walk by the Water: Exploring Vancouver's Shores.
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