Dallas Stars vs. Chicago Blackhawks

Despite growing up in the frozen land of Minnesota I didn't watch much hockey. I did ice skate quite a bit and played a game or two of pond hockey. It was fun watching the pros battle it out on the ice.

Dallas Stars defenseman Alex Goligoski (33), front, defends the goal with Dallas Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen (32), back right, against Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews (19), back center, during the second period of NHL hockey action at the American Airlines Center on November 29, 2013 in Dallas. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

Dallas Stars left wing Ray Whitney (13) skates during the first period of NHL hockey action at the American Airlines Center on November 29, 2013 in Dallas. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

Chicago Blackhawks right wing Ben Smith (28) and Dallas Stars center Shawn Horcoff (10) fight for the puck during the third period of NHL hockey action at the American Airlines Center on November 29, 2013 in Dallas. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

Dallas Stars right wing Erik Cole (72), left, and Dallas Stars center Rich Peverley (17) celebrate after a goal during the first period of NHL hockey action at the American Airlines Center on November 29, 2013 in Dallas. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

Dallas Stars defenseman Stephane Robidas (3) is taken off the ice after an injury during the second period of NHL hockey action at the American Airlines Center on November 29, 2013 in Dallas. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

Dallas Stars left wing Antoine Roussel (21) dives for the puck during the third period of NHL hockey action at the American Airlines Center on November 29, 2013 in Dallas. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

Fans cheer as Dallas Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen (32) makes a save against Chicago Blackhawks center Andrew Shaw (65) during the shootout of  NHL hockey action at the American Airlines Center on November 29, 2013 in Dallas. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

The Chicago Blackhawks celebrate in front of the Dallas Stars bench after the Stars lose the NHL hockey game at the American Airlines Center on November 29, 2013 in Dallas. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

JFK 50

This year, November 22, 2013 marked the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Kennedy was shot during his motorcade down Elm Street in downtown Dallas. Even though I studied this intensively throughout my education, I took every AP history class offered in high school and minored in political science in college, moving to Dallas was the first time I understood the significance of this tragedy to the city itself. It changed this country and the way the rest of the world viewed Dallas. I also became aware of the anger by local and visiting conspiracy theorists. This anniversary was important to them in an entirely different way.

 Throughout the week leading up to the 50th I struggled to cover the anniversary with such a dichotomy of tone. Some tourists came to pay their respects while others jumped out in the road where the shots were fired for a smiling photo op. 

In the morning at Parkland hospital where JFK died I saw people weep over the death of a man their families respected through several generations. A few hours later I was in a sea of protestors who intended to break down barricades to disrupt the ceremony. 

The  event was emotionally charged and meant something to many people in very different ways. 

Traffic is directed at Dealey Plaza on November 21, 2013 in Dallas. November 22, 2013 will be the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

Kevin Rigot of Denver drops his hat as he watches the closing prayer of the 50th-anniversary commemoration of John F. Kennedy’s assassination at a display screen on Main Street near the John Fitzgerald Kennedy Memorial on November 22, 2013 in Dallas. "JFK is my hero so I couldn't miss the chance to be here," Rigot said. People gathered to protest and watch the 50th-anniversary commemoration of John F. Kennedy’s assassination from a screen on Main Street. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

A crowd gathers on Main Street near the John Fitzgerald Kennedy Memorial on November 22, 2013 in Dallas. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

Richard P. Sheridan is photographed at Dealey Plaza on November 19, 2013 in Dallas. This Friday, November 22, 2013 will mark the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas. (Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)

Josh Owens, left, Rob Jacobson, center, and Wes Perkins, right, photograph, record and take video of Alex Jones of infowars.com at Dealey Plaza on November 21, 2013 in Dallas. November 22, 2013 will be the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

Protestors march from Belo Garden Park towards the 50th-anniversary commemoration of John F. Kennedy’s assassination ceremony on November 22, 2013 in Dallas. People gathered to protest and watch the 50th-anniversary commemoration of John F. Kennedy’s assassination from a screen on Main Street. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

Laura Turner, RN, left, Rocio Robles, Emergency Department services unit tech, center, and Cathy Huerta, right, bow their heads in prayer at Parkland Memorial Hospital on November 22, 2013 in Dallas. The event commemorated the 50th anniversary President John F. Kennedy's death, the Dallas county hospital district police lowered the flag in front of the current hospital to half-staff. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

Mirthi Lopez of Dallas holds a sign that says LBJ Did It on the steps of Old Red Courthouse on November 22, 2013 in Dallas. People gathered to protest and watch the 50th-anniversary commemoration of John F. Kennedy’s assassination from a screen on Main Street. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

Gabbie Glenn, left, and Kenneth Zediker of Florida march from Belo Garden Park towards the 50th-anniversary commemoration of John F. Kennedy’s assassination ceremony on November 22, 2013 in Dallas. People gathered to protest and watch the 50th-anniversary commemoration of John F. Kennedy’s assassination from a screen on Main Street. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

Janette Owens, center, and David Owens, right, listen as Michael Scott Aston leads a President John F. Kennedy trolley tour on November 14, 2013 in Dallas. The tour takes groups past the grassy knoll, the scene where of officer J.D. Tippit's was shot, and the house where Lee Harvey Oswald lived. (Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)

Lamantha Richardson sheds a tear during a prayer as people gather at Parkland Memorial Hospital to commemorate the 50th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's death on November 22, 2013 in Dallas. Richardson said if you went to her grandmother's house you would see three portraits, one of Jesus, one of Martin Luther King, Jr. and one of President John F. Kennedy. "Even though all three are passed away they are just stuck in my mind," Richardson said. The Dallas county hospital district police lowered the flag in front of the current hospital to half-staff. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

Fresh flowers are laid on the John Fitzgerald Kennedy Memorial on November 22, 2013 in Dallas. Friday, November 22, 2013 marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in downtown Dallas. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

Scenes from November

Elise Jones walks upstairs on November 20, 2013 at City House's the Goodman House in Plano. City House aims to serve homeless and runaway teens by giving them a place to stay as well as assisting them in other aspects of their lives.(Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)

Elise Jones, right, prepares to leave the house as her roommate, West Williams, left, wakes up on November 20, 2013 at City House's the Goodman House in Plano. City House aims to serve homeless and runaway teens by giving them a place to stay as well as assisting them in other aspects of their lives.(Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)

Dawn A. Wu, DDS,  above, performs dental work on Carolyn Brock, below, at the dental clinic at the North Dallas Shared Ministries on November 18, 2013 in Dallas. The non-profit center has updated many of its current resources for area residents. The center has also recently renovated its dental clinic. (Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)

Taylor Sulkowski, pre dental student, left, and Holly McKinney, center, dentist, show Erica Lewis, right, her completed dental work done at the dental clinic at the North Dallas Shared Ministries on November 18, 2013 in Dallas. The non-profit center has updated many of its current resources for area residents. The center has also recently renovated its dental clinic. (Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)

Resident Drevelyn Matilda Minor greets her grandson outside her apartment at the North Court Villas apartment complex on November 15, 2013 in Frisco. Minor moved to Frisco from Kessler Park after she lost her business. Now, she lives in the low-income complex which was the first in the area to enter a unique agreement with a Dallas-based nonprofit that promotes fair housing by offering subsidized housing units to Dallas Housing Authority clients holding Section 8 vouchers. (Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)

Resident Drevelyn Matilda Minor pictured in her apartment at the North Court Villas apartment complex on November 15, 2013 in Frisco. Minor moved to Frisco from Kessler Park after she lost her business. Now, she lives in the low-income complex which was the first in the area to enter a unique agreement with a Dallas-based nonprofit that promotes fair housing by offering subsidized housing units to Dallas Housing Authority clients holding Section 8 vouchers. (Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)

Jennifer Quezada marches with North Dallas High School during the Dallas Veterans Parade on November 11, 2013 at Dallas City Hall in Dallas.  The event opened with the Oath of Enlistment Ceremony and honored past and present United States war veterans. (Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)

The Missing Man formation is demonstrated during the Dallas Veterans Parade on November 11, 2013 at Dallas City Hall in Dallas. The event opened with the Oath of Enlistment Ceremony and honored past and present United States war veterans. (Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)

Sam Brown leads the Pledge of Allegiance during the Dallas Veterans Parade on November 11, 2013 at Dallas City Hall in Dallas.  The event opened with the Oath of Enlistment Ceremony and honored past and present United States war veterans. (Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)

Gary Morrow pictured at his home on November 20, 2013 in Dallas. Morrow was in 6th-grade in Dallas on the day the assassination of President John F. Kennedy occurred. (Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)

Gary Morrow pictured at his home on November 20, 2013 in Dallas. Morrow was in 6th-grade in Dallas on the day the assassination of President John F. Kennedy occurred. (Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)

The area next to White Rock Lake Trail pictured on November 12, 2013 in Dallas. (Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)

Cassadee Pope, winner of season three of The Voice performs at AT&T Plaza on November 19, 2013 in Dallas. Pope is currently promoting her album Frame by Frame.  (Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)

View from the sky, US Presidents and Mexican Presidents, cat rescue

I've fallen behind on my weekly posts so I'll just post updates bi-weekly now. Thanks for looking!

The view from the Over The Edge event where participants rappel down the 15-story Bank Tower at Oak Cliff on November 8, 2013 in Dallas. Over the Edge is a Special Olympics Texas fundraising event. (Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)

Adrienne Sullivan participates in Over The Edge and rappel down the 15-story Bank Tower at Oak Cliff on November 8, 2013 in Dallas. Over the Edge is a Special Olympics Texas fundraising event. (Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)

Marie Hopkins-Davis, right, participates in Over The Edge and rappels down the 15-story Bank Tower at Oak Cliff on November 8, 2013 in Dallas. Over the Edge is a Special Olympics Texas fundraising event. (Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)

Rudy Lopez, chairman of the board, participates in Over The Edge and rappels down the 15-story Bank Tower at Oak Cliff on November 8, 2013  in Dallas. Over the Edge is a Special Olympics Texas fundraising event. (Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)

Mike Brown, pictured with his champion chinkapin oak on November 7, 2013 in McKinney.  (Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)

Former Mexican president Vicente Fox speaks to Dallas school students Catherine Hammer, left, Emma Whitley, 10, second from left, Kate Stark, 9 center, Carlota Fedorko, 9, second from right, and Abby Skelly, 9, right, at Christ the King Community Center on November 8, 2013 in Dallas. Fox was president of Mexico from 20000-2006 under the National Action Party and was the first president in 71 years to be elected from a party other than the Institutional Revolutionary Party. (Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)

Residents Aubrey Horowitz, left, and Tonya Ison Hernandez become emotional after a three-alarm fire broke out on Tuesday morning November 5, 2013 at the Autumn Breeze apartments in Lewisville. Horowitz's home was next door to the apartment where the fire originated and was severely damaged. Resident Cody Baker took blame for the fire and said he was warming up grease on the stove when he fell asleep. (Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)

Cody Baker stands outside his apartment after a three-alarm blaze that broke out on Tuesday morning November 5, 2013 at the Autumn Breeze apartments in Lewisville. Baker took blame for the fire and said he was warming up grease on the stove when he fell asleep. (Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)

Jesse Lewis carries Jezebel the cat away from the fire scene after it is rescued from a three-alarm blaze that broke out on Tuesday morning November 5, 2013 at the Autumn Breeze apartments in Lewisville. Resident Cody Baker took blame for the fire and said he was warming up grease on the stove when he fell asleep. (Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)

Sophia Noormahomed, left and Manila Agarwal sit at the outdoor bar at Dee Lincoln Steak and Burger Bar on November 7, 2013 in Dallas. The restaurant, owned by Dee Lincoln, features dishes including steakhouse street tacos, miso eggplant, baby kale salad, and Dee's cut steak. (Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)

Tuesday Morning pictured on November 4, 2013 in Dallas. (Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)

Protesters stand on Hillcrest Ave. waiting for President Obama's motorcade to pull into Temple Emanu-El on November 6, 2013 in Dallas. President Obama visited Dallas outreach workers signing up people under the Affordable Care Act. (Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)

Supported of President Obama Cynthia Puente sits on her front porch with her dog Teddy Bear on Hillcrest Ave. waiting for President Obama's motorcade to pull into Temple Emanu-El on November 6, 2013 in Dallas. President Obama visited Dallas outreach workers signing up people under the Affordable Care Act. (Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)

Katherine Crooms, center, points to President Obama's motorcade with her sons Jadon Crooms, 4, right, and Dawud Crooms, 6, left, as it goes down Hillcrest Ave. on the way to Temple Emanu-El on November 6, 2013 in Dallas. President Obama visited Dallas outreach workers signing up people under the Affordable Care Act. (Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)

A secret service agent, left, and Umarah Ali, right, stand outside Temple Emanu-El on Hillcrest Ave. waiting for President Obama's motorcade to pull into Temple Emanu-El on November 6, 2013 in Dallas. President Obama visited Dallas outreach workers signing up people under the Affordable Care Act. (Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News) 

Week 20 at The DMN

Owner of Ali's Market Ali Karimi, right, hugs Rosie Paup who works at a nearby business on October 29, 2013 at Ali's Market where an employee, Luis Leal, was shot and killed last night in Terrell. A Terrell man went on a deadly rampage killing five people in four different places.(Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News) A Terrell man went on a deadly rampage killing five people in four different places.(Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News) 

Sgt. Brian Scott of Terrell Police Department stands in front of Mary Catherine Brownlow's home on October 29, 2013 where suspect Charles Everett Brownlow Jr. lived and where firefighters spotted flames and found a woman burned inside at 309 Stallings St. in Terrell. A Terrell man went on a deadly rampage killing five people in four different places.(Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)

Maria May, left, and Hanna Gisel, right, make their way through CURTAINS during the Nasher XChange tour on October 19, 2013 in Dallas and surrounding areas. This weekend opened the Nasher XChange's celebration of the Nasher Sculpture Center's 10th anniversary which features ten works of art at ten different sites around the Dallas Metroplex. (Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)

Kristen Butler, member of Good/Bad Art Collective, stands at CURTAINS during the Nasher XChange tour on October 19, 2013 in Dallas and surrounding areas. This weekend opened the Nasher XChange's celebration of the Nasher Sculpture Center's 10th anniversary which features ten works of art at ten different sites around the Dallas Metroplex. (Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)

Jo Hannon-Cropp, left, Bruno Bonamici, upper right, and Rebecca Armstrong, lower right, watch Andrew Bird perform during the Index Festival on October 18, 2013 in Deep Ellum. Artists including Andrew Bird and Girl Talk will be playing in the two-day festival. (Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)

Ugo Rondinone's dear sunset is unveiled at Fish Trap Lake during the Nasher XChange tour on October 19, 2013 in Dallas and surrounding areas. This weekend opened the Nasher XChange's celebration of the Nasher Sculpture Center's 10th anniversary which features ten works of art at ten different sites around the Dallas Metroplex. (Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)

Rebecca Jacobson, left, Cassidy Allen, second from left, Safiya-Hana Belbina, center, Brittany White and Catalina Uriarte, right, of the Flower Mound cross country team pictured on October 30, 2013 at Flower Mound high school in Flower Mound. Flower Mound beat defending 5A state champion Southlake Carroll at the beginning of the season, then dealt with injuries during the season, then finally got everyone healthy for district and won. (Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)

Newborn Okapi pictured on October 28, 2013 at the Dallas Zoo in Dallas. (Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)

Desi, mother of the newest okapi Almasi, cleans her on October 28, 2013 at the Dallas Zoo in Dallas. (Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)

Desi, mother of the newest okapi Almasi, right, and Almasi enjoy a snack in their enclosure on October 28, 2013 at the Dallas Zoo in Dallas. (Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)

Rachel Harrison's Moore to the point pictured in front of Dallas City Hall during the Nasher XChange tour on October 19, 2013 in Dallas and surrounding areas. This weekend opened the Nasher XChange's celebration of the Nasher Sculpture Center's 10th anniversary which features ten works of art at ten different sites around the Dallas Metroplex. (Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)

Pike Park pictured on October 31, 2013 in Dallas. The Dallas Mexican American Historical League is trying to preserve the park, a 4-acre patch in what was Little Mexico just north of downtown. (Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)

Andrew Bird performs during the Index Festival on October 18, 2013 in Deep Ellum. Artists including Andrew Bird and Girl Talk will be playing in the two-day festival. (Sarah Hoffman/Dallas Morning News)